Hands Off the Hand Sanitizer: It’s Not a Cocktail

Have you ever noticed that hand sanitizer is sometimes locked up in certain areas of the hospital? The reason for this is that individuals with severe alcohol use disorder may attempt to drink it. One of the highest blood alcohol levels (BAL) I’ve ever encountered came from a patient who found an unlocked dispenser, opened it, and consumed an entire bottle of sanitizer. Their BAL was an alarming 600 when we tested them. This highlights the dangers and societal impact of risky alcohol consumption—something I’ve witnessed firsthand in the inpatient setting.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/hand-sanitizers-and-alcohol-abuse-dangerous-cocktail-2024a1000f7o?ecd=WNL_trdalrt_pos1_240821_etid6766231&uac=267049CZ&impID=6766231