Alcohol Use among Injured Patients Aged 12 to 18 Years

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the scope of alcohol use among a population of injured adolescents. Methods: A convenience sample of injured patients aged 12–18 years seen at a pediatric ED was tested for the presence of alcohol. Injured patients seen within 6 hours of their injuries were asked to submit urine samples for testing using reagent strips. Data were collected from the patient, out‐of‐hospital emergency care personnel, and parents regarding the circumstances of the injury. Results: Of the 243 injured patients who were tested during an 8‐month period, 231 were included in the final analysis. Ninety patients (39%) were alcohol‐positive. The mean age of the alcohol‐positive group was 16.0 ± 1.64 years, compared with 15.3 ± 1.8 years for the alcohol‐negative group (p < 0.003). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups based on race, gender, or injury characteristics. A positive urine alcohol test was found for 18 (33%) of the motor vehicle crash victims, 9 (38%) of the motor vehicle drivers, 10 (37%) of the patients who attempted suicide, and 49 (44%) of the assault victims. Conclusions: A substantial percentage of injured adolescent patients were alcohol‐positive. The authors recommend the use of alcohol screening when treating injured adolescents.