Impact of Alcohol Screening Training in a Level 1 Trauma Center

Heavy alcohol use and binge drinking are common issues in the United States, with an estimated 25.8% of adults engaging in these behaviors. 1 Studies have shown that up to 28% of motor vehicle collision fatalities, 47% of homicides, and 24% of suicides are related to alcohol use.1,2 An admission following an alcohol-related injury provides a unique opportunity for screening and brief intervention (SBI) for those engaging in risky alcohol use. The American College of Surgeons mandates that all level 1 trauma centers screen and provide SBI to address risky drinking patterns among trauma patients with the intent to prevent future harm and poor alcohol-related health outcomes. 3 The goal of the current study was to assess the impact of nurse-focused self-guided web training on the uptake of alcohol SBI on a medical/surgical stepdown unit at an urban level 1 trauma center in the Southern United States. To assess the impact of this training on implementation of the SBI protocol, the current study employed a single center retrospective before-after chart review using existing data from the institutional trauma registry, the state Clinical Data Repository, and electronic medical records (EMR).