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Patients drinking NHS 'hand rub' Boozy patients drink NHS hand rub
(about 23 hours later)
Hospitals may need to keep their hand rub under lock and key to stop patients drinking it for its alcoholic content, say doctors.Hospitals may need to keep their hand rub under lock and key to stop patients drinking it for its alcoholic content, say doctors.
Poison experts at London's Guy's and St Thomas' hospital received 19 reports of intentional ingestion over 16 months.Poison experts at London's Guy's and St Thomas' hospital received 19 reports of intentional ingestion over 16 months.
Accidental ingestion by children, and elderly and confused patients, is also a problem, they told the British Medical Journal. Accidental ingestion by children, and elderly and confused patients, was also a problem, they told the British Medical Journal.
Hand rubs are placed near bedsides to tackle hospital-acquired infections.Hand rubs are placed near bedsides to tackle hospital-acquired infections.
Health hazardHealth hazard
The toxicologists compared the number of inquiries to their poisons centre in London from other health professionals during 16-month periods before and after the widespread introduction of alcohol hand rubs in 2005.The toxicologists compared the number of inquiries to their poisons centre in London from other health professionals during 16-month periods before and after the widespread introduction of alcohol hand rubs in 2005.
This comparison revealed an increase in the total number (23 versus 50) of enquiries to the unit.This comparison revealed an increase in the total number (23 versus 50) of enquiries to the unit.
There was also a marked increase (7 versus 29) in adult ingestion numbers, 19 of which were thought to be due to intentional ingestion.There was also a marked increase (7 versus 29) in adult ingestion numbers, 19 of which were thought to be due to intentional ingestion.
All cases of ingestion occurred within hospitals or care homes.All cases of ingestion occurred within hospitals or care homes.
One of the reports related to a female patient with a known history of alcohol dependency who was found collapsed with an empty 500ml bottle of alcohol hand rub, lying next to another bottle.One of the reports related to a female patient with a known history of alcohol dependency who was found collapsed with an empty 500ml bottle of alcohol hand rub, lying next to another bottle.
The more serious effects are seen in those who ingest more than 500ml of hand rub The study authorsThe more serious effects are seen in those who ingest more than 500ml of hand rub The study authors
Tests showed she was nine times over the legal UK driving limit for alcohol and the concentration in her blood was potentially fatal.Tests showed she was nine times over the legal UK driving limit for alcohol and the concentration in her blood was potentially fatal.
The researchers said: "In our experience, the more serious effects are seen in those who ingest more than 500ml of hand rub, and this is most likely to occur in confused patients (such as, they may mistake it for water) and those with alcohol dependency seeking the desired effect."The researchers said: "In our experience, the more serious effects are seen in those who ingest more than 500ml of hand rub, and this is most likely to occur in confused patients (such as, they may mistake it for water) and those with alcohol dependency seeking the desired effect."
While poisoning from hand rubs remains relatively uncommon, it is on the rise, they said, and suggested larger hand rub dispensers (500ml or more) could be placed within locked secured holders preventing unintentional or intentional ingestion.While poisoning from hand rubs remains relatively uncommon, it is on the rise, they said, and suggested larger hand rub dispensers (500ml or more) could be placed within locked secured holders preventing unintentional or intentional ingestion.
A spokesman from Alcohol Concern said: "Alcohol dependency is an addiction and, like any other addiction, can manifest itself in sometimes extreme and desperate measures on the part of the patient.A spokesman from Alcohol Concern said: "Alcohol dependency is an addiction and, like any other addiction, can manifest itself in sometimes extreme and desperate measures on the part of the patient.
"In addition to managing risk in the short term, it's equally vital that hospitals have in place clear referral systems so that hospitalised patients can begin to address the root causes of this type of behaviour.""In addition to managing risk in the short term, it's equally vital that hospitals have in place clear referral systems so that hospitalised patients can begin to address the root causes of this type of behaviour."