Educating Emergency Department Registered Nurses (EDRNs) in screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT): Changes in attitudes and knowledge over time. (July 2017) - Mitchell, Ann M.
Highlights: SBIRT has been shown to be effective in reducing risky alcohol consumption. Patients trust nurses, underscoring nurses' ability to have a positive impact. EDRNs can increase their knowledge and attitudes to routinely screen patients for risky substance use. SBIRT training and educational reinforcement is key for continued implementation. Abstract: Alcohol and other drug (AOD) diagnoses in the ED co-occur with injury-related presenting conditions including: falls, motor vehicle accidents, poisonings, and both intentional and unintentional injuries. Clinical attention to ED admissions resulting from hazardous AOD use can significantly improve patient care and reduce high cost utilization of ED visits and treatment. The EDRN-SBIRT project is designed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of ED nurses working in a large academic medical center to identify and address risky AOD use as it relates to an ED visit. ED nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward patients with AOD use can be improved through SBIRT education. SBIRT education can establish an evidence-based standard of nursing practice to improve healthcare outcomes, but it must be reinforced with ongoing ED review and supportive educational sessions until practice is firmly established.