Addressing alcohol misuse in primary care.

Abstract

Alcohol misuse (AM) among young adults remains a public health issue that is underaddressed in primary care. Despite well-supported recommendations to screen and offer brief interventions for AM, most primary care providers do not address the issue. Increasing rates of alcohol-related incidents and lack of a standardized alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) program were identified in a private university health center. Nurse practitioners, staff nurses, and physicians received education on alcohol SBI. Young adult students visiting a college health center were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption electronically followed by a brief motivational intervention if they screened positive using embedded Electronic Health Record templates. Preimplementation/postimplementation chart audit and surveys were used to evaluate effectiveness. Following staff education, a standardized alcohol SBI program was implemented in a private university health center. Increased alcohol screening and intervention rates, as well as increased knowledge about AM, and reduced alcohol use among participants were identified. Through staff education and by embedding standard alcohol SBI templates, more at-risk young adults were identified and rendered alcohol interventions during routine visits. This replicable program can improve outcomes related to AM in the primary care setting.