The burden of alcohol-related presentations to a busy urban New Zealand hospital emergency department.

Abstract

AIMS:This cross-sectional observational study presents a focused analysis of alcohol-related presentations (ARPs) to a major New Zealand emergency department (ED) with the aim of describing and comparing the profile and outcomes of these presentations. METHODS:A secondary analysis of 12 months (November 2017 to October 2018) of electronic patient records of adult (≥15 years) presentations to the Auckland City Hospital Adult ED. The primary area of interest was patient's alcohol-related status. Additional information reviewed included: patient demographics, and features of the presentation such as time of presentation, triage category and discharge disposition. RESULTS:Among 73,381 presentations, 7% (n=5,130) were alcohol-related, the majority were male (65%) and aged 20-39 (52%). ARPs were more frequent at night, during the weekends, public holidays and over the summer months. Sixteen percent of injury-related presentations were alcohol-related. ARPs commonly arrived at the ED via emergency services and had a longer length of stay than non-ARPs. CONCLUSIONS:The findings from this study highlight the burden of alcohol misuse on the ED. Continued public health efforts are required to implement preventative strategies for alcohol-related harm in the ED and society as a whole.