Accuracy of blood ethanol determination using serum osmolality.
A retrospective review of 81 emergency department patients was performed to determine the accuracy of blood ethanol levels (BEL) calculated from serum osmolality. The osmolar gap (measured-calculated serum osmolality) was used to determine the calculated BEL. The mean difference between calculated and measured BEL was 49.2 mg/dL. Calculated BEL overestimated measured BEL in 83% of patients. Adding a correction factor for unmeasured osmoles to the equation for calculated serum osmolality will reduce this error.
Snyder
H
H
Department of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
Williams
D
D
Zink
B
B
Reilly
K
K
D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000431:Ethanol