The Emergency Medicine Foundation funded a single-blind, randomised, controlled trial to compare intoxicated patients who received a single bolus of 20 mL/kg intravenous 0.9 per cent saline and observation, against observation only of intoxicated patients. During the study period, 626 patients presented with alcohol intoxication as their primary diagnosis with 425 patients eligible by age criteria. Of these 425 patients, 164 patients were assessed for inclusion with 144 eligible for enrolment. Trial evidence suggested that intravenous (IV) fluids do not decrease the emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) of intoxicated patients regardless of administration of IV 0.9 per cent saline.
Understanding the Effect of Intravenous Fluids for Intoxicated Patients in the Emergency Department
Initiative Type
Research
Status
Close
Added
17 July 2018
Last updated
07 June 2022
Summary
Key dates
Jun 2011
May 2012
Implementation sites
Gold Coast University Hospital
Partnerships
Emergency Medicine Foundation, Bond University, Griffith University
Aim
The study aim was to compare treatment with intravenous 0.9 per cent saline with observation against observation alone in emergency department (ED) patients with acute alcohol intoxication.
Benefits
- Appropriate, timely care and treatment
- Efficient use of resources
Background
In the emergency department of Gold Coast University Hospital, from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009, 0.7 per cent of total patient population (~1512 patients) were given either a primary or secondary diagnosis of alcohol intoxication or alcohol abuse. Non-admitted patients with acute alcohol intoxication or alcohol abuse had an average emergency department length of stay of eight hours. This prolonged length of stay in the department contributes to additional resource allocation and increased morbidity through emergency department overcrowding.
