I am an ICU nurse and Clinical Leader that was recently hit (not the first time) and kicked by an ETOH-er. He had received 250 mg of IV Lorazepam in 56 hours and it was obviously not working. Changing to dexmetomidine was truly a life saver. But why are we doing this?
I am all for helping people who wish to help themselves, or even just say that they wish to. But if someone comes in with a dx that does not make them NPO, why can't we give them alcohol?
Some people have no interest in detoxing (and these are the ones that I am talking about). I understand that we cannot condone alcohol use, but when does the safety of the staff become more important. Two + weeks in the ICU for "accidental" withdrawal when all you wanted was your bum knee fixed is not ok. What are the costs? Emotional for the family to see their loved one in 4 points. Physical for the staff (and family). Financial for the patient. Isn't there a way to change this?
I have been looking on Pubmed and Medline and not really finding any sort of protocol for actual oral intake of alcohol. Does anyone know of one?
Any comments or questions are appreciated. Thanks for this interesting discussion that I am only now coming across.
I am an ICU nurse and Clinical Leader that was recently hit (not the first time) and kicked by an ETOH-er. He had received 250 mg of IV Lorazepam in 56 hours and it was obviously not working. Changing to dexmetomidine was truly a life saver. But why are we doing this?
I am all for helping people who wish to help themselves, or even just say that they wish to. But if someone comes in with a dx that does not make them NPO, why can't we give them alcohol?
Some people have no interest in detoxing (and these are the ones that I am talking about). I understand that we cannot condone alcohol use, but when does the safety of the staff become more important. Two + weeks in the ICU for "accidental" withdrawal when all you wanted was your bum knee fixed is not ok. What are the costs? Emotional for the family to see their loved one in 4 points. Physical for the staff (and family). Financial for the patient. Isn't there a way to change this?
I have been looking on Pubmed and Medline and not really finding any sort of protocol for actual oral intake of alcohol. Does anyone know of one?
Any comments or questions are appreciated. Thanks for this interesting discussion that I am only now coming across.