The 3rd National Emergency Department survey of Alcohol Identification and Intervention activity

Conclusion This 3rd National Emergency Department survey of alcohol identification and intervention activity shows that, in comparison to the previous 2011 survey, changes in alcohol IBA activity remain positive.  Routine questioning about alcohol consumption (in adults), the number of GPs being informed by EDs of patient’s alcohol-related attendances, and having access to Alcohol Health Workers or Clinical Nurse Specialists all significantly increased. Additionally, modest increases in the provision of training on alcohol screening and brief advice, and the use of a formal alcohol screening tool for adult attendees have been observed. Departments should be praised, as it seems that alcohol screening and either referral or intervention is becoming a more accepted component of routine practice. Nearly half of all departments are now implementing strategies to tackle re-attenders. Improved communication with GPs highlights a move towards multidisciplinary care and integration across primary and secondary care services. This highlights the potential for GPs to become more involved in the wider implementation of alcohol IBA and interventions, given that primary care has been deemed a more suitable setting for more in-depth interventions. Routine questioning about alcohol use is fairly high among adults (aged 18-65 years), which is encouraging given that this has been a consistent recommendation in relevant reports and guidelines over the last 5 years (NCEPOD, 2013, RCEM, 2015,...
Source: Alcohol Research UK - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Alcohol Insights Source Type: news