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Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Jan Scott
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BackgroundInpatient alcohol detoxifications are only proposed after motivational outpatient encounters because detoxification directly from the emergency department (ED) is believed to be associated with early dropout and poor adherence to outpatient follow-up. The aim of this prospective follow-up study was to test the feasibility of unscheduled (UP) alcohol detoxification directly from the ED and to compare the 1-year follow-up of these patients to that of scheduled (SP) patients.MethodsA quasi-naturalistic prospective follow-up study of 120 patients: 60 consecutively admitted patients referred directly by the ED for alcohol detoxification (UP) were compared to 60 consecutively admitted patients who had undergone the usual preparation for an inpatient detoxification program (SP). The length of hospitalization (in days) and attendance to postdischarge outpatient visits during the first year was compared.ResultsUP patients were older, less frequently employed, and had more somatic comorbidities compared with SP patients. The UP length of stay was significantly longer (2016 vs. 14 +/- 6, p=0.04). No difference in their postdischarge attendance was observed; the number of patients attending 1 session (57% UP vs. 65% SP, p=0.227) and 5 sessions (22% UP vs. 32% SP, p=0.151) and the mean number of postdischarge visits attended were comparable between the UP and SP groups (2.7 +/- 6 vs. 4.5 +/- 6; Mann-Whitney U=1,517, p=0.124).ConclusionsWe did not find that UP patients who had been admitted for alcohol detoxification had a significantly higher dropout rate or lower postdischarge addiction treatment attendance. Because they may have several advantages, detoxification programs directly linked with EDs should be further evaluated.
Author(s): Azuar J, Questel F, Hispard E, Scott J, Vorspan F, Bellivier F
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
Year: 2016
Volume: 40
Issue: 2
Pages: 418-421
Print publication date: 01/02/2016
Online publication date: 04/02/2016
Acceptance date: 09/11/2015
ISSN (print): 0145-6008
ISSN (electronic): 1530-0277
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acer.12962
DOI: 10.1111/acer.12962
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