Drink a little; take a few drugs: do nurses have knowledge to identify and manage in-patients at risk of drugs and alcohol?

R. D. GRIFFITHS RN, RM, BEd (Nursing), MSc (Hons), Dr PH, FRCNA,

Corresponding Author

R. D. GRIFFITHS RN, RM, BEd (Nursing), MSc (Hons), Dr PH, FRCNA

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

R. D. Griffiths RN, RM, BEd (Nursing), MSc (Hons), Dr PH, FRCNA, Professor of Nursing and Director Centre for Applied Nursing Research, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia and Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC Liverpool 1871 NSW, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

A. STONE RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health),

A. STONE RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health)

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

A. Stone RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health), Clinical Nurse Consultant, Drug Health, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

D. T. TRAN B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH,

D. T. TRAN B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

D. T. Tran B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH, Research Officer, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

R. S. FERNANDEZ RN, MN,

R. S. FERNANDEZ RN, MN

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

R. S. Fernandez RN, MN (Critical Care), Nurse Manager and Deputy Director Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

K. FORD BA, MA,

K. FORD BA, MA

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

K. Ford BA, MA, Research Assistant, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Search for more papers by this author

R. D. GRIFFITHS RN, RM, BEd (Nursing), MSc (Hons), Dr PH, FRCNA,

Corresponding Author

R. D. GRIFFITHS RN, RM, BEd (Nursing), MSc (Hons), Dr PH, FRCNA

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC Liverpool 1871 NSW, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

A. STONE RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health),

A. STONE RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health)

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

A. Stone RN, MHS (D&A Studies), MAM (Health), Clinical Nurse Consultant, Drug Health, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

D. T. TRAN B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH,

D. T. TRAN B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

D. T. Tran B.Med (Vietnam), MIPH, Research Officer, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

R. S. FERNANDEZ RN, MN,

R. S. FERNANDEZ RN, MN

Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

R. S. Fernandez RN, MN (Critical Care), Nurse Manager and Deputy Director Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia

Search for more papers by this author

K. FORD BA, MA,

K. FORD BA, MA

University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

K. Ford BA, MA, Research Assistant, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 29 May 2009

https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230701499167

Citations: 11

About

PDF

Tools

Share a link

Email
Wechat
Bluesky

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. The widespread use of alcohol and other drugs poses particular problems during hospitalisation. Although nurses have been identified as an appropriate group to screen patients and provide acute and ongoing management to people with drug and alcohol-related problems, rates of screening are low. The aims of this study were to identify current practices for screening by nurses working in medical and surgical wards, determine their knowledge relating to problems associated with substance use and identify their self-reported skills in managing patients with drug- and alcohol-related problems. Design and Methods. A chart audit of medical records was completed and a survey was distributed to nurses working in the study wards. Results. Screening for alcohol and drug use was documented on only 22/79 medical records, and detailed information about quantity and duration of use was recorded in only nine. Overall, the nurses reported that they had little knowledge about substance use problems, and felt that they lacked skills to care adequately for these patients. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of this study suggest a need for a comprehensive training and education to ensure that nurses are familiar with policies and protocols for management of patients and to assist nurses to provide evidence-based care and make appropriate referrals to specialist services.

References

[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Statistics on drug use in Australia. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2000.
Google Scholar
[2] Li G., Chanmugam A., Rothman R., DiScala C., Paidas C., Kelen G. Alcohol and other psychoactive drugs in trauma patients aged 10–14 years. Injury Prev 1999; 5: 94–7.
10.1136/ip.5.2.94
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
[3] Sakai J., Hall S., Mikulich-Gilbertson S., Crowley T. Inhalant use, abuse and dependence among adolescent patients: commonly comorbid problems. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2004; 43: 1080–8.
10.1097/01.chi.0000132813.44664.64
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[4] Smothers B., Yahr H., Sinclair M. Prevalence of current DSM-IV alcohol use disorders in short-stay, general hospital admissions. United States, 1994. Arch Intern Med 2003; 163: 713–9.
10.1001/archinte.163.6.713
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[5] Smothers B., Yahr H., Ruhl C. Detection of alcohol use disorders in general hospitals admissions in the United States. Arch Intern Med 2004; 164: 749–56.
10.1001/archinte.164.7.749
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[6] NSW Health Department. The health of the people of New South Wales. Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Health Department, 2002.
Google Scholar
[7] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National drug strategy household survey, 1998. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1999.
Google Scholar
[8] Australian National Council on Drugs. Evidence supporting treatment: the effectiveness of interventions for illicit drug use. Sydney: Australian National Council on Drugs, 2001.
Google Scholar
[9] Australian National Council on Drugs. The National Drug Strategy: Australia's integrated framework 2004–2009. Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs, 2004.
Google Scholar
[10] Chikritzhs T., Catalano P., Stockwell T., et al. Australian alcohol indicators. Patterns of alcohol use and related harms for Australian States and Territories 1990–2001. Perth: National Drug Research Institute, 2003.
Google Scholar
[11] Mathers CD, Vos E., Stevenson C., Begg SJ. The Australian Burden of Disease Study: measuring the loss of health from diseases, injuries and risk factors. Med J Aust 2000; 172: 592–6.
10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb124125.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[12] Royal Australasian College of Physicians Health and social policy: from hope to science: illicit drugs policy in Australia. Sydney: Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2000.
Google Scholar
[13] Schermer C., Gentilillo L., Hoyt D., et al. National survey of trauma surgeons' use of alcohol screening and brief intervention. J Trauma Injury Infect Crit Care 2003; 55: 849–56.
10.1097/01.TA.0000091110.83692.38
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[14] Bostwick J., Seaman J. Hospitalised patients and alcohol: who is being missed Gen Hosp Psychiarty 2004; 26: 59–62.
10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2003.08.007
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[15] Thomson W. Alcoholism. In: Emedicine, 2005. Available at: http:www.emedicine.commedtopic98.htm (accessed 6 July 2006).
Google Scholar
[16] Barnaby B., Drummond C., McCloud A., Burns T., Omu N. Substance misuse in psychiatric inpatients: comparision of a screening questionnaire survey with case notes. BMJ 2003; 327: 783–4.
10.1136/bmj.327.7418.783
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[17] Hunt M., Kouimtsidis C., Reynolds M., Lind J., Ghodse H. Smoking among patients admitted to a general hospital: a missed opportunity for early intervention. Drugs Educ Prev Policy 2003; 10: 31–8.
10.1080/0968763021000016371
Web of Science® Google Scholar
[18] Kouimtsidis C., Reynolds M., Lind J., Beckett J., Drummond C. Substance use in the general hospital. Addict Behav 2003; 28: 483–99.
10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00263-5
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[19] Happell B., Carta B., Pinikahana J. Nurses' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding substance use: a questionnaire survey. Nurs Health Sci 2002; 4: 193–200.
10.1046/j.1442-2018.2002.00126.x
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
[20] Gentilello L. Confronting the obstacles to screening and interventions for alcohol problems in trauma centres. J Trauma Injury Infect Crit Care 2005; 59: S137–43.
10.1097/01.ta.0000174877.66875.f3
PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
[21] Hart B., Trickett D. Alcohol and trauma in the emergency department. Emerg Nurs 1995; 21: 426–7.
10.1016/S0099-1767(05)80115-1
CAS PubMed Google Scholar
[22] National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian drinking guidelines, health risks and benefits. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council, 2001.
Google Scholar
[23] South Western Sydney Area Health Service. Drug and alcohol policy manual (for generalist murses and midwives). Liverpool: South Western Sydney Area Health Service, 2004.
Google Scholar
[24] Tashakkori A., Teddlie C. Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2003.
Google Scholar
[25] Edwards P., Roberts I., Clarke M., et al. Methods to influence response to postal questionnaires (Cochrane Methodology Review). Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2004.
Google Scholar
[26] Burns L., Adams M. Alcohol-history taking by nurses and doctors-how accurate are they really J Adv Nurs 1997; 25: 509–13.
10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.1997025509.x
CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar

Citing Literature

Volume26, Issue5

September 2007

Pages 545-552

Drink a little; take a few drugs: do nurses have knowledge to identify and manage in-patients at risk of drugs and alcohol?

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley

Drink a little; take a few drugs: do nurses have knowledge to identify and manage in-patients at risk of drugs and alcohol?

Abstract

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information