Problem drinkers among acute care inpatients

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of potential problem drinking among general hospital inpatients during a three-month period.

Method: The study was conducted in a large Scottish teaching hospital. The wards involved were the general medical, general surgical, orthopaedic and short-stay wards as they had been identified as clinical areas with problem drinking among inpatients. Patients were interviewed using a structured interview schedule as a screening instrument to detect potential problem drinkers.

Results: Of the patients interviewed, 25 per cent were shown to drink in excess of the BMA's guidelines for low-risk drinking: 8 per cent had had previous treatment for alcohol problems; 2 per cent were bout or seasonal drinkers; and 15 per cent were newly identified potential problem drinkers. Of the newly identified group, 75 per cent were men and 25 per cent women. Those who were unemployed formed the largest group of potential problem drinkers according to occupation, and patients from the short-stay ward were more likely to have an alcohol problem than those from other wards in the study.

Conclusion: The patients in this study found to be at risk of experiencing alcohol-related problems might not be routinely identified with current screening methods. This method of screening, by asking patients about their recent drinking patterns, will help nurses to identify those who are potential problem drinkers and enable them to provide relevant advice and education to these patients.