Low rates of thiamine prescribing in adult patients with alcohol-related diagnoses in the emergency department.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with thiamine deficiency and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). Thiamine supplementation for the prevention of WKS in patients with suspected AUD in the Emergency Department (ED) is generally recommended. As alcohol-related diagnoses are frequent reasons for visits to EDs, ED thiamine prescribing practices are relevant to the overall management and prevention of WKS in patients with AUD. To determine the prescription rates of thiamine to patients with alcohol-related diagnoses in the ED. This was a retrospective chart review conducted at two New York City urban teaching hospitals from January 1 to December 31, 2017. All patients 18 years or older who were given an alcohol-related diagnosis (all F10 ICD-10-CM codes) upon disposition were included. Collected data included details of thiamine prescribing practices, patient demographics and patient disposition. A total of 7,529 patient visits with an alcohol-related diagnosis were identified. The overall median age of included patients was 44; 5747 (76.3%) patient visits were by men; 310 (4.1%) patient visits resulted in admission. Out of all patient visits, thiamine was ordered during 167 (2.2%) visits, with thiamine administered parenterally during 129 (77.2%) visits and orally in 38 (22.8%) visits. Out of patient visits specifically associated with an F10.2 (Alcohol Dependence) diagnosis, thiamine was ordered during 105 (17.8%) visits. We found a very low rate of thiamine prescribing during patient visits associated with alcohol-related diagnoses. This may be a missed opportunity to reduce morbidity and mortality among AUD ED patients.