Is There a Difference in Patient Outcomes between Trauma Victims Who Test Positive for Cocaine and Alcohol, Alcohol Only, and Trauma Victims Who Do Not Test Positive for Alcohol and Cocaine, or Alcohol Only?

The following study investigates the correlation between positive testing for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and opiates, and patient outcomes in trauma situations. Trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The role of alcohol and other drugs in trauma and injuries is widely acknowledged. This study investigates trauma victims in a Level I urban trauma center. It is a retrospective chart review in which four subject groups and their outcome were investigated. Patient outcomes investigated were mortality, Glascow Coma Score, Injury Severity, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, complications, and disposition upon discharge. Methods/Inclusion Citeria: A convenience sample was obtained using the trauma registry (February and March, 2002). The sample consisted of those trauma victims who were: 1. 18 years of older 2. Male or female. 3. Involved in a Level I and II trauma 4. Admitted to the hospital 5. Toxicology/alcohol screen completed. Ninety-five charts were reviewed and various demographic data was obtained and evaluated. Demographic data included age, gender, marital status, time of day the trauma occurred, type of trauma, type of insurance, employment status, race and smoking habits. Outcome data collected were mortality, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, Glascow Coma Store, Injury Severity, complications and disposition upon discharge. Results: After data collection, demographic and outcome related, it was found that motor vehicle accidents (MVA), gender, smoking, Glascow Coma Score, age, and intubation revealed significance while GCS and intubation were positively correlated with a poorer patient outcome. There is no positive correlation between level of consciousness, race, disposition, drug or alcohol withdrawal, Injury Severity Score, length of stay in hospital or length of ventilator and patient use of drugs and/or alcohol.Master'sSchool of Health Professions and Studies: NursingUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117834/1/Lindsay.pd