Drug Use in Patients Admitted to a University Trauma Center: Results of Limited (Rather than Comprehensive) Toxicology Screening

The results of rapid toxicology screening of paired blood and urine samples from 936 patients admitted to a university trauma center during the calendar year 1988 were reviewed in order to determine the drugs detected by use of a relatively limited (rather than comprehensive) screening procedure and to define the demographic characteristics of the positive population. Of the 936 cases, 65% (610) were positive for one or more drugs: ethanol (436), cocaine and/or benzoylecgonine (164), sympathomimetic amines (142), phencyclidine (40), narcotic analgesics (36), salicylates (17), and barbiturates (9). Of the positive screens, 70% (426) demonstrated only one drug or parent drug/metabolite combination. Positives were obtained from 69% of men, 50% of women, 80% of American Indians, 75% of Blacks, 66% of Latins, 65% of Caucasians, 60% of undetermined race, and 38% of Orientals screened. The age group 21-40 years accounted for 69% of positives. Rapid, limited admission toxicology screening of trauma patients can still provide useful information.