Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

ALCOHOL LIAISON SERVICE
The service operates at the Royal Infirmary Monday to Friday 09:00-
17:00.
Direct referral should be made by telephone to extension 21396/21398
or by bleeping Sr Leslie (#6426).
If patients are admitted and discharged over a weekend, referrals
can be made via the service answerphone (as above) or complete a
weekend referral form kept in doctors’ rooms in CAA.
The following details are required when making a referral:
Referrer
Patient name
Address
DOB
Reason for admission
PATIENT’S PERMISSION MUST BE SOUGHT PRIOR TO REFERRAL
N.B. For patients to be seen promptly, referrals must be made as early in
the day as possible. Where possible, a same day service is offered.
There is currently no alcohol liaison service at the WGH. Referrals from
the WGH should go either to psychiatry or the Alcohol Problem Service
at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
St John’s: radiopage via switchboard
Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures
Initial treatment with 10mgs diazepam (as Diazemuls) by intravenous
injection over two minutes may be given. Status epilepticus should be
treated according to the guidelines.
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Examine for features of fluid depletion and check U&Es. Oral fluid
intake of 2-2.5 litres per day should be given. Intravenous replacement
of fluid and electrolytes may be required; potassium and magnesium
supplementation should be tailored according to blood chemistry.
Hypoglycaemia should be excluded by blood sugar measurements
and treated accordingly.
Vitamin Supplementation: see above.
adult medical emergencies handbook | NHS LOTHIAN: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DIVISION | 2009/11
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