Clinical Report: Transforming Alcohol Use Identification in Hospital Settings
Overview
This study evaluates a quality improvement initiative aimed at identifying and treating patients with unhealthy alcohol use during hospital admissions. The initiative demonstrated an increase in the initiation of medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) among high-risk patients.
Background
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of Americans and contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite the high prevalence of AUD, treatment uptake remains low, particularly in hospital settings where patients may be identified during admissions.
Data Highlights
Metric
Value
Total admitted patients screened
18,146
High-risk patients identified
489 (2%)
High-risk patients initiated on MAUD
231 (47%)
Key Findings
Only 2% of hospitalized patients with AUD are typically discharged with a prescription for MAUD.
The initiative screened all admitted patients, regardless of admission diagnosis.
Screening and treatment were coordinated by an interdisciplinary team.
Implementation of the program resulted in a 47% initiation rate of MAUD among high-risk patients prior to discharge.
Clinical Implications
Incorporating routine screening for unhealthy alcohol use in hospital settings may facilitate early identification and treatment of AUD.
Conclusion
This study highlights the role of coordinated screening and treatment initiatives in addressing unhealthy alcohol use.
An ancillary analysis found less than 2-percentage-point differences in 10-year recurrence across margin thresholds, with no statistically significant adjusted association.
