Implementation of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in the emergency department without additional resources

Patients who misuse substances present in inordinate numbers for emergency department (ED) services. Therefore, EDs are an important environment for identifying, intervening and connecting patients with treatment and recovery support to improve patient health and reduce healthcare utilization. EDs have largely depended on external funding or additional personnel to execute SBIRT. Our aim was to integrate SBIRT into the ED workflow and coordinate transfer to treatment and community support programs without added monetary/staff resources. Beginning in 2010, we worked cooperatively with a local ED to integrate SBIRT into the normal ED workflow. This program of screening, brief interventions and warm-handoff referral is dubbed “Safe Landing.” Efforts have focused on: training staff; embedding SBIRT tools into existing data systems; nurturing relationships with community treatment and recovery providers; developing protocols for a “warm-handoff” that would ensure patients who, in the context of a health crisis, express an immediate interest in following a road to recovery; and securing reimbursement for services. Over one-and-a-half years since implementation, 45,770 patients have been screened, with 7,996 assessed, 2,058 receiving a brief intervention, and 137 referred to treatment or recovery support. Multiple staff trainings have resulted in a palpable culture shift to patient advocacy and increasing compliance with SBIRT protocols. Screening and BI tracking tools embedded in the ED data systems continue to be enhanced. ED reimbursement for SBIRT began 10/2012, and cooperative relationships with treatment and recovery providers have diversified. We will discuss the implementation strategies employed to overcome challenges in operationalizing SBIRT in the ED. Challenges to be discussed include changes in key personnel, embedding SBIRT into the labyrinth of data systems, initial staff scepticism and evolving area treatment and recovery services organizations. Regardless, Safe Landing perseveres, and commitment by the local ED is stronger than ever

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Implementation in the Emergency Department

We sought to qualitatively evaluate impediments in implementing a novel Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol into normal emergency department (ED) workflow for patients with at-risk drug/alcohol behavior. From 2010, administrative and nursing champions trained nurses at a single ED (census: 50,000 visits/yr) in SBIRT and incorporated SBIRT into normal ED nursing workflow in 2012. To qualitatively analyze impediments in SBIRT implementation, we created a semi-structured questionnaire for protocol champions with subsequent follow-up. Investigators analyzed responses using qualitative methodology based on a modified grounded theory framework. In 2012, 47693 visits by 31525 patients met SBIRT protocol initiation criteria with a protocol execution rate of 83.4%. Interview data identified the following impediments: (1) Need for multi-layer leadership support; (2) Application of an overarching vision to constantly address personnel attitudes towards SBIRT appropriateness in the ED; (3) Continuous performance monitoring to address implementation barriers close to real time; (4) Strategic and adaptive SBIRT training; and (5) External systemic changes through internal leadership. Qualitative analysis suggests that impediments to SBIRT implementation in the ED include views of SBIRT appropriateness in the ED, need for continuous reinforcement/refinement of personnel training / protocol execution, and fostering of additional administrative/financial champions