TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Screening and Recording of Patients' Alcohol-use Habit by Clinicians in a Tertiary Accident and Emergency Unit in Ireland
JO  - Annals of medical and health sciences research
A1  - Nkire, N.
A1  - Udoh, G.
A1  - Elahi, M.
A1  - Cotter, D.
A1  - MacHale, S.
SP  - 590
EP  - 593
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
N2  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol is widely consumed in Ireland; more so in major urban centers. Alcohol-related problems account for a significant number of Accident and Emergency (A and E) department presentations in Ireland. As a result, the national alcohol policy calls on doctors to be proactive in screening for and addressing alcohol misuse. <br><br>AIM: The aim of the following study is to determine if patients presenting to a tertiary North Dublin A and E were asked about their alcohol use habit and if it was recorded. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive observational study involving the retrospective review of case-notes for all patients who were assessed at the A and E Department of a North Dublin general hospital over a 1 week period for screening about their alcohol use habit. Data was entered into and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. <br><br>RESULTS: Only 17% (106/613) of the A and E attendees over the study period were asked about their alcohol use habit or had it recorded. No case-note examined documented use of alcohol screening instruments. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This study has revealed an inadequacy of enquiry about alcohol use habit. In light of high rates of alcohol misuse in Ireland we suggest the need for improved enquiry/screening and recording of alcohol use among all patients attending A and E's.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2141-9248
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.139333
ID  - ref1
ER  -