Alcohol abuse is a prevalent and important problem among elderly ED patients. It is not well detected by physicians in this setting. Alcohol abuse appears to be less common among elderly trauma patients than their younger counterparts, but is very common among patients with gastrointestinal problems.

Although the NYC MRC has the potential to assist the health care system in the event of a disaster, NYC hospitals will need clarification of the clinical and legal issues involved in the use of MRC volunteers for patient care.

No abstract