Screening for Alcohol Use, Misuse, or Abuse in the Primary Care Setting using the AUDIT-C tool: An Extension Study

Abstract PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to improve alcohol screening rates in one primary care setting by educating and supporting providers and office staff on the use of the Audit-C alcohol screening tool. METHODS: This study design was a Quasi-Experimental intervention, one group post-test. Data was collected utilizing a retrospective chart review from the electronic medical records of adults over age 18 years by visit type: New Patient Visit, Annual Visit, or Employee Wellness Exam. Data included: demographic data of patient age, race, gender, the Audit-C score, and whether or not an intervention was performed. RESULTS: Five providers (three APRN and two MDs) consented to participate. Of the 100 patient charts reviewed, 33 had an AUDIT-C score documented by a provider. The Audit-C scores ranged from 0-5. Fifty-six percent of females and 20% of males scored high enough for a brief intervention. Three intervention types were found (Counseling, patient declines/no intervention results not documented) with the most common type being counseling. CONCLUSION: The use of the Audit-C in a primary care setting was shown. Office Staff and providers successfully demonstrated the ability to complete the Audit-C tool and indicated interventions within standard appointment times. Further studies to examine the impact of adding the Audit-C to an EMR and its impact on screening rates is warranted