Ann Mahony, MPH, CSAT, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5515 Security Lane, Rockwall II Building, Rm 7-209, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-443-7924, AMahony@samhsa.gov

In primary care practices, emergency departments, and trauma centers, as many as 90 percent of practitioners fail to identify the substance use problems of their adult patients, thereby squandering a well-documented teachable moment. To address this problem, several federal agencies are focusing research and program funding on emergency departments (EDs) and trauma centers as a promising setting in which to implement screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment (SBIRT). The goal is threefold: 1) to provide early interventions for patients with mild-to-moderate substance use problems in addition to referrals to specialized treatment for patients with more severe problems; 2) to translate research on SBIRT into real-world practice settings; and 3) to change public and private systems, both payer and provider systems, in ways that will increase screening of patients for substance use problems and provide appropriate help. This session will provide an overview of the methodological, technological, and operational program components of SBIRT as applied in EDs and trauma centers. Typical policy barriers and their implications will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the research foundation of alcohol Screening,Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment(SBIRT) models in the generlist setting(primary care,ED and tramua );
• Name the key skills and operational issues to apply SBIRT in the primary care, ED and trauma settings; and
• Develop a call to action for key SBIRT application and policy issues for systems change to ensure future implementation and reimbursement.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement: