Staff working in hospital accident and emergency departments will be trained, under a new nationwide initiative launched in Cork, to raise the issue of alcohol abuse with patients they are concerned about who arrive in A&E under the influence.
Alcohol consumption in Ireland has rocketed by 17% over the past decade — from 11.5 litres per adult in 1995 to 13.4 litres in 2006 — well above the EU average.
It has placed a huge strain on the health system, and A&E departments in particular.
Alcohol-related hospital admissions increased by 88% between 1995 and 2004.
Staff in Cork University Hospital’s A&E have developed a training initiative to help other A&E staff tackle the problem.
They will use specific health promotion techniques to raise the issue of alcohol abuse with patients.
Staff will provide health information and support to patients who want to change their alcohol use, and offer advice on how they can access support services.
The initiative involved the production of a training DVD for hospital staff, posters and an alcohol information booklet.
The DVD outlines several approaches A&E staff can use when raising the issue of alcohol with patients.
The posters, which explain what a standard unit of alcohol is, will be displayed in A&E departments.
And the information booklet gives details on safe drinking levels, as well as information on support services.
They will be distributed to A&E departments nationwide.
Paula Bradshaw, a clinical nurse manager at CUH, said almost a third of visits to hospital A&E departments are alcohol-related.
“However, it is well documented that patients are more likely to start along a cycle of change in a hospital setting when encouraged by a health professional,” she said.
The National Health information line on 1850 24 1850 — 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday — gives details on local support services.
Source: Irish Examiner, 06 Jun 2008
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
