Perceptions and realities of testing for alcohol and other drugs in trauma patients.

Background: Routine testing for acute intoxication with alcohol and other drugs in trauma patients is a widely accepted practice at major trauma centers. However, there is often a significant difference between policy and practice. We sought to study the perception and the reality of testing practices at an urban Level I trauma center.

Increased incidence of complications in trauma patients cointoxicated with alcohol and other drugs.

Background: Alcohol and drug intoxication is prevalent in trauma patients. Although intoxication and cointoxication can have a range of physiologic effects, their implications for clinical management are unclear. The current investigation aims to assess the effects of alcohol and substance use as well as the interaction between these two states on outcomes and in-hospital complications.