title: Early detection and intervention for the hidden alcoholic: assessment guideline for the clinical nurse specialist.
abstract: Among hospitalized patients, it is estimated that between 20% and 35% have significant alcohol problems that remain largely undetected. Alcohol abuse is a risk factor for a variety of disorders, including diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, liver disease, and stroke. In an era of health care cost containment, early detection, intervention, and referral of alcohol-abusing or -dependent patients by the CNS may significantly impact the cost effectiveness of hospital care. In this article, a guideline is described that can be used by the CNS relative to the assessment, intervention, and referral of alcohol-abusing or -dependent patients in the general hospital setting.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009730:Nursing Assessment