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Original contributions| Volume 10, ISSUE 2, P129-133, March 1992

Accuracy of blood ethanol determination using serum osmolality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(92)90205-8
Accuracy of blood ethanol determination using serum osmolality
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      Abstract

      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.

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      Article info

      Publication history

      Accepted: September 19, 1991
      Received in revised form: September 16, 1991
      Received: April 4, 1991

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0736-4679(92)90205-8

      Copyright

      © 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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