A feasible model for early intervention for high-risk substance use in the emergency department setting

Objective In response to escalating alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related emergency department (ED) presentations, a tertiary Melbourne hospital embedded experienced AOD clinical nurse consultants in the ED on weekends to trial a model for screening, assessment and brief intervention (BI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relative contributions of AOD to ED presentations and to pilot a BI model. Methods Using a customised AOD screening tool and a framework for proactive case finding, screened participants were offered a comprehensive AOD assessment and BI in the ED. Immediate effects of the intervention were evaluated via the engagement of eligible individuals and a self-administered ‘intention to change’ survey. Results Over the 32-month pilot, 1100 patients completed a comprehensive AOD assessment, and 95% of these patients received a BI. The most commonly misused substances were, in order, alcohol, tobacco, amphetamine-type stimulants, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and cannabis. Thirty-two per cent of patients were found to be at risk of dependence from alcohol and 25% were found to be at risk of dependence from other substances. Forty per cent of the people assessed reported no previous AOD support or intervention. On leaving the ED, 78% of participants reported an intention to contact community support services and 65% stated they would change the way they used AOD in the future. Conclusion This study of a pilot program quantifies the relative contribution of AOD to ED presentations and demonstrates that hospital EDs can implement a feasible, proactive BI model with high participation rates for people presenting with AOD-related health consequences. What is known about the topic? Clinician-led BI for high-risk consumption of alcohol has been demonstrated to be effective in primary care and ED settings. However, hospital EDs are increasingly receiving people with high-risk AOD-related harms. The relative contribution of other drugs in relation to ED presentations has not been widely documented. In addition, the optimal model and effects of AOD screening and BI programs in the Australian ED setting are unknown. What does this paper add? This paper describes a ‘real-life’ pilot project embedding AOD-specific staff in a metropolitan Melbourne ED at peak times to screen and provide BI to patients presenting with AOD-related risk and/or harms. The study quantifies the relative contribution of other drugs in addition to alcohol to ED presentations and reports on this model’s much higher levels of patient engagement in receiving BI than has been reported previously. What are the implications for practitioners? This study demonstrates the relative contribution of drugs, in addition to alcohol, to ED presentations at peak weekend times. Although BI has been well proven, the pilot project evaluated herein has demonstrated that by embedding AOD-specific staff in the ED, much higher rates of patient engagement, screening and BI can be achieved.