NHS Quality Improvement Scotland has published the second in its Alcohol Misuse in Scotland series, which aims to gather evidence on the impact of alcohol-related problems on the health service in Scotland. The first report examined the prevalence of such problems in emergency departments and was published in November 2006.
Key findings:
The prevalence of assaults
During the 6-week period, 3,281 patients were seen in emergency
departments as a result of an assault either as victims or assailants.
- Every day in Scotland an estimated 110 assaults present to emergency departments.
- The majority of cases (78%) involve men.
- Two thirds (65%) of all assault patients are under 30.
- The early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times for treating the consequences of assaults.
- Weapons are used in around a third of cases.
- 264 children and adolescents under the age of 15 were included in the audit. Almost half (44%) of assaults in children under the age of 13 occurred in school.
Alcohol-related assaults
The data collected in this audit indicate that at least 70% of all assaults
presenting to emergency departments may be alcohol-related. On
this basis at least 77 alcohol-related assaults present to emergency
departments every day in Scotland.
The outcomes for those involved
- Wounds were the most common problem requiring treatment.
- The median time spent in the emergency department was 2 hours.
- Almost three quarters (72%) of patients were discharged home from the emergency department.
- A further 12% discharged themselves against medical advice.
- There were 85 documented cases of verbal or physical abuse of emergency department staff, most involving people who had been drinking.
Understanding Alcohol Misuse in Scotland reports:
HARMFUL DRINKING One: The Size of the Problem
HARMFUL DRINKING Two: Alcohol and Assaults
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