• M McKenny, S O'Beirne, C Fagan, and M O'Connell.
• Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, St James's Hospital, Dublin 6, Ireland. mikemckenny@eircom.net
• Ir J Med Sci. 2010 Sep 1; 179 (3): 405-8.

BackgroundExcessive alcohol consumption is ingrained in Irish society and is known to have significant adverse health consequences, including adverse outcomes for critically ill patients. Previous assessments of alcohol-related intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were felt to have underestimated the scale of this problem.AimsA study was designed to objectively measure alcohol-related ICU workload.MethodsWe prospectively recorded the number of patients who were admitted to St James's Hospital ICU as a result of alcohol misuse during a 6-month period in 2008. Admission diagnosis, Acute physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score 2 (APACHE 2), ICU length of stay and 30-day mortality were recorded.ResultsThe study group occupied 16.7% of the total available ICU bed-days, experienced longer stays and higher mortality.ConclusionThis study adds to the data available on the scale of alcohol-related problems amongst Irish healthcare system patients. Prioritisation of primary preventative strategies is necessary.

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