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Stevens MWR, Ivers R, Telenta J, Ali RL. Building workforce capacity to address substance use in primary health care: preliminary results from a mixed-methods pilot program. Aust J Prim Health 2024; 30:NULL. [PMID: 38123163 DOI: 10.1071/py23148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary health care is critical to the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related harms. Scaling-up screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) within primary health care can reduce the burden of substance-related diseases, and improve downstream healthcare services. Building knowledge, skills and confidence among general practitioners (GPs), particularly in rural, regional and remote areas, to deliver SBIRT is an essential step. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot test a skills-based training program for GPs designed to build capacity for SBIRT delivery. METHODS This pilot study investigated the acceptability of a structured, educational skills-based training program among GPs, as well as its preliminary effectiveness in inducing changes in confidence to deliver SBIRT, and in increasing knowledge about low-risk alcohol guidance. The training package was designed by experts in addiction medicine and public health, and involved a series of online webinars and in-person workshops at four locations across the South Eastern NSW Primary Healthcare Network catchment. RESULTS A total of 18 GPs registered for the training, with six completing the final webinar. The GPs who completed all sessions demonstrated increases in confidence to deliver SBIRT and alcohol guidance knowledge from baseline. Qualitative feedback found the program acceptable, and GPs were able to successfully implement learnings into practice, and promote to colleagues. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated the potential of this program at a national level, but highlighted the need for a range of additional incentives to encourage uptake and ongoing implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W R Stevens
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Rowena Ivers
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Joanne Telenta
- COORDINARE - Southeastern NSW PHN, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Robert L Ali
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Palmese F, Bonavita ME, Pompili E, Migliano MT, Reggidori N, Di Stefano C, Grieco M, Colazzo S, Tufoni M, Baldassarre M, Caraceni P, Foschi FG, Giostra F, Farina G, Del Toro R, Bedogni G, Domenicali M. Mortality and its association with chronic alcohol-related diseases in patients admitted to the emergency department for acute alcoholic intoxication: retrospective cohort study. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:257-263. [PMID: 36199001 PMCID: PMC9883355 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We assessed long-term mortality and its association with chronic alcohol-related diseases in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) because of acute alcoholic intoxication (AAI). A retrospective cohort study was performed at the ED of Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. 3304 patients, corresponding to 6415 admissions for AAI, who accessed the ED from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017, were studied. The ED electronic registry system was used to assess living status on 08 May 2020 and to obtain the prespecified potential predictors, i.e., age at first admission, sex, alcohol use disorder (AUD), substance use disorder (SUD), more than 1 admission to ED for trauma, mental and behavioral disorders, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease. The median follow-up time was 9.3 years and the time on risk was 30,053 person years (PY) with a death rate corresponding to 4.42 (95% CI 3.74-5.26) per 1000 PY (n = 133 deaths). The death rate was higher in patients with AUD (17.30) than in those without AUD (1.98) and in those with SUD (13.58) than in those without SUD (3.80). Lastly, there was a clearly higher death rate among AUD+ SUD+ (20.89) compared to AUD-SUD-patients (1.74). At multivariable Cox regression, AUD, SUD, and liver cirrhosis were strong and independent predictors of time-to-death. Using standardized mortality ratios, a clear excess of mortality was evident for all the age bands from (40-45] to (60-65] years. Mortality is higher in AAI than in the general population and chronic alcohol-related diseases are strongly associated with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Palmese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Primary Health Care, Internal Medicine Unit Addressed to Frailty and Aging, "S. Maria Delle Croci" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy.
| | - Maria Elena Bonavita
- Department of Internal Medicine, "Degli Infermi" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Faenza, Italy
| | - Enrico Pompili
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Migliano
- Department of Internal Medicine, "Degli Infermi" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Faenza, Italy
| | - Nicola Reggidori
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cecilia Di Stefano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marta Grieco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Colazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuel Tufoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Baldassarre
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research-CRBA, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Caraceni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Giostra
- Emergency Department-Pronto Soccorso, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriele Farina
- Emergency Department-Pronto Soccorso, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rossella Del Toro
- Department of Primary Health Care, Internal Medicine Unit Addressed to Frailty and Aging, "S. Maria Delle Croci" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bedogni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Primary Health Care, Internal Medicine Unit Addressed to Frailty and Aging, "S. Maria Delle Croci" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Marco Domenicali
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Primary Health Care, Internal Medicine Unit Addressed to Frailty and Aging, "S. Maria Delle Croci" Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
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Stevens MWR, Harland J, Alfred S, Ali RL. Substance use in the emergency department: Screening for risky drug use, using the ASSIST-Lite. Drug Alcohol Rev 2022; 41:1565-1576. [PMID: 35866743 PMCID: PMC9796694 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Substance use is a common contributing factor to emergency department (ED) presentations. While screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for alcohol and tobacco is common in ED settings, it is not routinely conducted for illicit substances. This study aimed to deploy the ASSIST-Lite to screen for risky use of alcohol and other drugs in the ED, to identify differences in risk based on between demographic characteristics. METHOD All ED attenders, aged 18 years or older, deemed well enough to participate were approached. Recruitment occurred at the Royal Adelaide Hospital ED between May and June 2017. Participants were asked to self-complete the ASSIST-Lite in the ED waiting room. Overall, 632 people were approached, of which 479 (75.8%) agreed to participate. RESULTS Alcohol (72.2%), tobacco (27.1%) and cannabis (15.2%) were most commonly reported. Eighty-nine participants reported moderate- or high-risk use of two substances, and a further 49 individuals reported moderate- or high-risk use of three or more substances. Across most substances, age, gender and employment status was associated with risky substance use, with higher likelihood of risk reported by males, unemployed and younger participants. Unemployment was also significantly associated with increased risk severity for both moderate and high-risk illicit use. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS The rate of risky illicit and polysubstance use found here highlight the need more focused research in ED settings. The findings also provide support for more routine screening, and early intervention approaches; and suggest the need for active referral pathways through an alcohol and other drug consultation liaison service.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Harland
- School of MedicineUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia,Alcohol and Drug ProgramCanberra Health ServiceCanberraAustralia
| | - Sam Alfred
- Royal Adelaide Hospital Emergency DepartmentAdelaideAustralia
| | - Robert L. Ali
- School of MedicineUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideAustralia
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Smyth D, Wilson C, Searby A. Undergraduate nursing student knowledge and attitudes of healthcare consumers with problematic alcohol and other drug use: A scoping review. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2021; 30 Suppl 1:1293-1309. [PMID: 34363429 DOI: 10.1111/inm.12923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Problematic alcohol and other drug use has a significant societal, personal, and financial burden. Nurses are key in responding to problematic alcohol and other drug use; however, research indicates many nurses hold negative attitudes towards people with substance and alcohol use disorders. Further, little content exists in most undergraduate degrees to address stigma held by new nurses. The objective of this scoping review, structured using Arksey and O'Malley's (International Journal of Social Research Methodology: Theory and Practice, 8 (1), 19-32, 2005) framework, is to examine studies that either explore or attempt to improve the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nurses caring for people who use alcohol and other drugs. Our initial search located 610 articles, and after screening, 14 articles were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and included in this review. Most of the papers appraised were small, localized studies using evaluation methods considered low quality, but showed promising results in addressing stigma and confidence in providing care to people who use alcohol and other drugs. This review indicates that a consistent direction for improving knowledge and attitudes among undergraduate nursing students working with people who use alcohol and other drugs is urgently needed. Further studies of interventions, tested with more rigorous evaluation methodologies, are required to extend existing work in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Smyth
- Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, Northern NSW Local Health District, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cate Wilson
- Alcohol and Other Drugs Service, Northern NSW Local Health District, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Searby
- Institute for Health Transformation, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Panken S, Wauters L, Gijbels R, Quintens H, Dorette AAA, Verelst S. The 12 -year evolution of emergency department alcohol-related admissions in a student city. Acta Clin Belg 2021; 77:742-747. [PMID: 34412571 DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2021.1966582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the trends in incidence of alcohol-intoxicated patients who present at the emergency department (ED), as well as the characteristics of these patients. METHODS Retrospective observational study based on data collected from 2008 until 2019 in two EDs in Leuven, Belgium. As a routine ED procedure, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test is ordered for all patients suspected of alcohol use as a primary presenting sign. Patients older than 10 years of age with a BAC ≥ 0.1 g/L were included. BAC levels, age, gender and proportion of repeat admissions were analysed. RESULTS The absolute number of patients with a positive BAC test increased from 1260 in 2008 to 1908 in 2019 (51.4%). Male-to-female ratio remained stable (2:1). In the University Hospital Leuven , the most represented age group shifted from 20-29 and 40-49 year olds (2008) to 50-59 year olds (2019). The most common age groups in Heilig Hart Leuven were 10-19 year olds and 20-29 year olds, which remained stable over the study period. The readmission rate was 18% within the entire study period with a range of 2 to 46 times. CONCLUSION Our study showed an annual increase in alcohol-related admissions. The highest rates of alcohol-related ED visits occurred in the age group 50-59. Patients with a repeat admission accounted for a large number of the total alcohol-related visits, placing a major burden on our healthcare system. It will be a challenge to timely detect patients at risk, regardless of their age, to prevent future ED admissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffi Panken
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ku Leuven - University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lina Wauters
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ku Leuven - University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roos Gijbels
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ku Leuven - University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hilde Quintens
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Regionaal Ziekenhuis Heilig Hart Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sandra Verelst
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ku Leuven - University, Leuven, Belgium
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Baldassarre M, Caputo F, Pavarin RM, Bossi MM, Bonavita ME, Caraceni P, Grignaschi A, Balloni M, Cavazza M, Bernardi M, Domenicali M. Accesses for alcohol intoxication to the emergency department and the risk of re-hospitalization: An observational retrospective study. Addict Behav 2018; 77:1-6. [PMID: 28918344 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a frequent cause of admission to emergency departments (EDs) for acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Patients with AUD present a higher risk of readmission to EDs for AAI than the general population, however, the distinction between sporadic AAI and AAI in the context of AUD in the ED setting is difficult. AIMS To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted to EDs because of AAI and to identify factors associated with repeated admissions in order to develop a risk stratification system for patients with AUD based on objective data that can be easily applied in an ED setting. METHODS An observational retrospective study was performed. All patients with diagnosis of AAI at admission in 2014 were enrolled. RESULTS Five hundred and sixty-five patients were enrolled, of which 92 (16%) were admitted more than once to the ED. At multivariate analysis, factors associated with readmission were past episodes of alcohol abuse, social discomfort, previous traumas and psychiatric disorders. Basing on this parameter, a risk-score for re-hospitalization was developed. This score has a high predictive power for the risk of readmission to the ED (AROC 0.837, 95%CI 0.808-0.866), moreover, the cumulative probability of readmission within one year, increased in parallel with score value, being highest in patients presenting 3 or more risk factors. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that several risk factors stratify the risk of re-hospitalization in patients admitted to EDs for AAI, allowing the identification of those presenting more severe conditions and who would likely benefit from multidisciplinary intervention.
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Nazari J, Raistrick D. Effectiveness of a nurse led hospital in-reach team and assertive follow-up of frequent attenders with alcohol misuse complications – a retrospective mirror image evaluation. Drugs and Alcohol Today 2014. [DOI: 10.1108/dat-07-2014-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose– Physical comorbidities of alcohol misuse are common and result in frequent attendance to hospitals with estimated £3.5bn annual cost to the NHS in England. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the hospital in-reach team of the Leeds Addiction Unit (LAU) in reducing hospital service utilization in people with alcohol dependence.Design/methodology/approach– This is a retrospective cohort study, with a mirror-image design. The authors included all patients who had wholly alcohol attributable admission(s) to Leeds Teaching NHS Hospitals Trust (LTHT) during a four-month period between January and April 2013 and received treatment from LAU. The primary outcome measures were changes in A and E attendance (A&E) attendances, number of hospital admissions and days spent in hospital between the three months before and after the LAU intervention.Findings– During the four-month period, there were 1,711 wholly alcohol attributable admissions related to 1,145 patients. LAU saw 265 patients out of them 49 who had wholly alcohol attributable admissions engaged in treatment with LAU. Of those who engaged 33 (67.3 per cent) had fewer A&E attendances, 34 (69.4 per cent) had fewer admissions and 39 (80 per cent) spent fewer days in hospital in the three months after compared to three months before. There was a significant reduction in total number of hospital admissions (78 vs 41, mean=1.56 vs 0.82,p<0.001) and days spent in hospital (490 vs 146, mean=9.8 vs 2.92,p<0.001).Originality/value– This mirror-image study suggests that an alcohol hospital in-reach team could be effective in reducing acute hospital service utilization by engaging with the frequent attenders with alcohol misuse complications.
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