Management of alcohol misuse in Scotland: the role of A&E nurses.
Despite national targets to reduce excessive drinking in Scotland, rates have increased dramatically since the mid-eighties. The role of Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in the management of alcohol misuse is much debated. This postal survey was conducted with senior medical and nursing staff in A&E departments and minor injury units throughout Scotland to examine the prevalence of alcohol-related attendances and staff's attitudes towards identifying and responding to alcohol-related attendances. A 57% response rate was achieved, representing 87% of all A&E institutions in Scotland (n = 84). The results reveal an estimated 1 in 7 attendances in A&E in Scotland are alcohol-related, and 1 in 5 of these result in admission. However, over two-fifths of departments do not routinely screen for, or keep records of, patients who attend with alcohol problems. Intervention is normally limited to a brief dialogue and referral to the patient's GP. Despite considerable barriers, A&E nursing staff express a willingness to assume a preventive role, but acknowledge lack of appropriate training and sources of support. It is concluded that there is scope for developing identification and brief intervention services within A&E. However, such developments are dependent upon alcohol issues assuming a higher priority among senior A&E staff.
Anderson
S
S
Centre for Social Marketing, University of Strathclyde, 173 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RQ. s.anderson@csm.market.strat.h.ac.uk
Eadie
D R
DR
MacKintosh
A M
AM
Haw
S
S
D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004282:Documentation; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control