Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Alcohol-Intoxicated Trauma Patients: Implications for Healthcare Delivery at South Rand Hospital Emergency Department

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions about patients who had been assaulted; who consult under the influence of alcohol; and to make them aware of their attitudes towards these patients; with a view to improving their care. Design: An explorative; descriptive study with 15 HCPs purposively selected across professional categories; qualifications; work experience; gender and age. These HCPs participated in four focus group interviews on intoxicated patients who had been assaulted. The interviews were audio-taped and supplemented with field and observational notes. Themes were identified using the cut-and-paste method and grouped into categories. Findings were subjected to mental triangulation; peer review and member check; and were compared with those in the literature. Settings and subjects: HCPs who treat assault patients within the emergency department (ED) of South Rand Hospital; Rosettenville; comprised the study population. They expressed their perceptions and inner feeling about patients under the influence of alcohol who had been assaulted. Interviews were carried out in the boardroom of the hospital. Outcome measures: HCPs' awareness of their attitudes towards assaulted patients under the influence of alcohol. Results: Frustration; anger; a desire to punish intoxicated patients and concern about wastage of hospital resources were some of the stressors experienced by HCPs. Exposure to health hazards and a poor security system were concerns that arose following intimidation; aggression and verbal abuse from alcohol-intoxicated patients who had been assaulted. Conclusion: HCPs experience negative emotions and develop negative attitudes in response to alcohol-intoxicated patients who have been assaulted

Intoxicação alcoólica em crianças e adolescentes: dados de um centro de assistência toxicológica / Alcoholic intoxication in children and adolescents: information from an intoxication control center

O abuso de álcool constitui um dos problemas sociais e de saúde de grande magnitude em nosso tempo. O estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar as ocorrências toxicológicas em crianças e adolescentes com idade até 18 anos, hospitalizados por intoxicação alcoólica e notificados em um Centro de Controle de Intoxicação nos anos de 2003 a 2007. O estudo foi retrospectivo, com análise quantitativa dos dados. Encontraram-se 338 notificações. O abuso de álcool ocorreu predominantemente no sexo masculino, sendo os finais de semana, o período noturno e o uso agudo de maior ocorrência. A intoxicação alcoólica relacionada às ocorrências violentas aumentou em 12 vezes as chances de internação, e observou-se relação significativa entre o uso crônico e o aumento da gravidade clínica. Sugere-se estudos para aprofundar a temática e a implementação de políticas e estratégias preventivas tendo a criança e o adolescente como foco principal.

Intoxicacion alcohólica / Alcoholic poisoning

El alcohol aun en dosis pequeñas, se comporta invariablemete como un tóxico depresor del Sistema Nervioso Central.(au)