Generally, when alcohol levels are indicated, the use of a breath testing device rather than a blood sample is acceptable. Studies have shown breath analysis to be as accurate as blood, particularly when the level is over 100mg/dL. However, breath analysis does require a certain degree of ability on the part of both the patient and the technician. Patients must be able to follow directions and cooperate while intoxicated. Breath testing is limited to those patients who can cooperate. Breath testing can afford physicians an immediate level to work with; thus permitting rapid correlation of the level and clinical assessment. Waiting for a blood alcohol level may delay immediate treatment and aggressive management of underlying or co-existing problems. Therefore, use of breath analysis is a rapid and acceptable alternative to blood alcohol levels, in a limited clinical setting. Those patients who are severely intoxicated or uncooperative prohibit breath testing and blood alcohol levels should be obtained when clinically indicated.

The frequent use of the breath analyzer, even if a blood alcohol level was previously obtained, offers the physician a convenient and rapid determination of alcohol level to determine if alcohol content is rising or falling. In addition, these “re-checks” will assist in correlating alcohol level with clinical improvement.

The level obtained by breath analysis should be documented in the chart. If the breathalizer is capable of printing, the printed number should be attached to the chart. If a printed copy is not available then the physician or those delegated to administering the test should document the time and the level obtained.