Healthcare professionals opinions of intoxicated patients in an Irish Emergency Department

Background: It is suggested that between 20% and 50% of all presentations to Irish Emergency Departments (ED) are alcohol related, with the figure rising to over 80% at peak weekend periods. Aim and objectives: The aim of... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
It is suggested that between 20% and 50% of all presentations to Irish Emergency Departments (ED) are alcohol related, with the figure rising to over 80% at peak weekend periods.
Aim and objectives:
The aim of this research study was to explore the views of nursing and medical staff towards alcohol misusers who attend the ED of a large Regional teaching hospital in the West of Ireland.
Methods:
A descriptive qualitative approach was selected and three focus group interviews were conducted among the nursing and medical staff. These were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using Braun & Clarkes (2004) thematic analysis framework.
Analysis and Results:
Three core themes emerged- ED staff attitudes towards intoxicated patients, the impact of limited resources on the management of alcohol misusers in the ED and the specific educational requirements of staff. Key findings from the study suggest that ED staff have a negative attitude towards acutely intoxicated patients. Nursing staff felt more strongly than their medical colleagues that this group of patients draw heavily on staff time and resources. There was concern expressed with regard to the quality of care these clients receive and participants believed that more holistic evidence –based approaches are required. They proposed the use of Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) tools, the introduction of Alcohol nurse specialists or alcohol liaison nurses, and specialist educational and training programmes for staff.
Recommendations:
There is a dearth of literature on the subject and studies which evaluate evidence based interventions which have a meaningful impact on patient care is required. ED staff believe that resources, research, education and follow up support is deficient and that robust policies and frameworks which support the holistic care of these service users are essential.