title: Screening and Recording of Patients' Alcohol-use Habit by Clinicians in a Tertiary Accident and Emergency Unit in Ireland.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, South Tipperary Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland ; Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nkire
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Training Scheme, Glasgow Deanery, UK ; Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Udoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Limerick Mental Health Services, Limerick, Ireland ; Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cotter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacHale
keywords: Accident and Emergency; Alcohol; Recording; Screening