• Georgina Svensen, Bridget Kool, and Sarah Buller.
• Medical Student, Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland.
• N. Z. Med. J. 2019 Oct 25; 132 (1504): 56-66.

AimsThis cross-sectional observational study presents a focused analysis of alcohol-related presentations (ARPs) to a major New Zealand emergency department (ED) with the aim of describing and comparing the profile and outcomes of these presentations.MethodsA secondary analysis of 12 months (November 2017 to October 2018) of electronic patient records of adult (≥15 years) presentations to the Auckland City Hospital Adult ED. The primary area of interest was patient's alcohol-related status. Additional information reviewed included: patient demographics, and features of the presentation such as time of presentation, triage category and discharge disposition.ResultsAmong 73,381 presentations, 7% (n=5,130) were alcohol-related, the majority were male (65%) and aged 20-39 (52%). ARPs were more frequent at night, during the weekends, public holidays and over the summer months. Sixteen percent of injury-related presentations were alcohol-related. ARPs commonly arrived at the ED via emergency services and had a longer length of stay than non-ARPs.ConclusionsThe findings from this study highlight the burden of alcohol misuse on the ED. Continued public health efforts are required to implement preventative strategies for alcohol-related harm in the ED and society as a whole.

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