The nurse's role in the identification and management of alcohol abuser in the emergency department

The emergency department (ED) nurse plays a major role both in recognizing and in the management of the patients affected by alcohol related problems, such-as acute alcohol intoxication (AAI), alcohol withdrawal (AW), traumatic or spontaneous illness due to acute or chronic effects of alcohol abuse. Here are described both the clinical problems and the diagnostic instruments that nurse can use in ED to increase diagnostic sensibility. Furthermore both clinical features of AAI in relation with blood alcohol concentration (BAC), diagnostic criteria and test to evaluate AW severity are reported in this review. Even diagnostic instruments to identify alcohol abuse also in trauma are reported: the alcohol breath test, BAC and laboratory test. Even the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (A.U.D.I.T.) questionnaire is reported to recognize the alcohol abuser. In conclusion acquiring a specific training, nurse can play a major role in the complex intervention net of alcoholics rehabilitation.