Alcohol levels in trauma victims
Date
1986-11
Authors
Muller, R.
Van Rensburg, L. C. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group -- HMPG
Abstract
A group of 142 patients injured in motor vehicle
accidents or assaults was investigated to ascertain
patterns of alcohol usage and blood alcohol levels;
77% were positive for blood alcohol (range 0,01 0,492
g/dl; mean 0,212 g/dl). A correlation
between alcohol levels and injury severity was found.
In assaults. multiple injuries were associated with
high alcohol levels because of less effective selfdefence.
Injured young pedestrians as well as injured
occupants of motor vehicles showed alarmingly high
alcohol levels. The increasing load placed on trauma
services and the resultant burden to the taxpayer
necessitates an urgent programme of public education
designed to alter attitudes towards alcohol
consumption.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Traffic accident victims -- Alcohol levels
Citation
Muller, R., Van Rensburg, L. C. J. 1986. Alcohol levels in trauma victims. South African Medical Journal, 8 November: 592-593.