Pitfalls
- Failing to question patients about alcohol intake when they present to the ED
- Not acting on abnormal blood results on asymptomatic patients
- Failing to refer patients to alcohol support services or a GI specialist when appropriate
- Failing to give thiamine to a patient suspected of alcoholism
- Not recognising more serious aspects such as development of Wernicke's encephalopathy or pathology secondary to alcohol related injuries, such as a subdural haematoma