Citation

Hosking J, Ameratunga SN, Bullen C, Civil I, Ng A, Rodgers A. N. Zeal. Med. J. 2007; 120(1249): U2417.

Affiliation

Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, Auckland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17308554

Abstract

AIM: To describe current screening and intervention practice for alcohol problems in a New Zealand trauma centre. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a trauma registry database at a metropolitan hospital in New Zealand, and hospital chart review for documentation of alcohol screening and intervention on a random sample of 120 adults, stratified by ethnicity and blood alcohol status, admitted following unintentional injury for the period January 2003 to December 2004. RESULTS: Among 1970 patients admitted following unintentional injury during the study period, 23% had a blood alcohol test at admission. Approximately half of these tests were positive. While 68% of charts reviewed included a general comment on alcohol use, only 7.3% recorded information that suggested a possible drinking problem. No formal alcohol screening interviews were documented, and in only 1.5% of admissions was an alcohol intervention in the hospital setting recorded. CONCLUSION: Formal screening and interventions for alcohol problems among this group of inpatients were infrequent, indicating missed opportunities to reduce alcohol-related harm and, potentially, trauma recurrence. Effective approaches for alcohol screening and intervention in the New Zealand trauma inpatient setting require review.

Language: en