Pitfalls

  • Failing to question patients about alcohol intake when they present to the ED
  • Not acting on abnormal blood results on asymptomatic patients
  • Failing to refer patients to alcohol support services or a GI specialist when appropriate
  • Failing to give thiamine to a patient suspected of alcoholism
  • Not recognising more serious aspects such as development of Wernicke's encephalopathy or pathology secondary to alcohol related injuries, such as a subdural haematoma
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