Mid North Coast Local Health District
Documented and anecdotal evidence demonstrates a divide between drug and alcohol treatment rationale, good clinical practice and patient experiences. The team aimed to improve emergency treatment access for consumers requiring alcohol withdrawal management.
Drug & Alcohol Services developed a Triage Category Rating Guide based on NSW Clinical Guidelines. A first in Australia, the Guide assists emergency departments in detecting actual or risk of alcohol withdrawal and identifying most appropriate treatment and referral pathways.
Results showed an increase in:
- appropriate treatment from 31.8% to 80.0%
- alcohol use documentation from 35.4% to 55.2%.
The Guide was trialed in Kempsey Emergency Department and collaborative research results have been accepted in Emergency Medicine Australasia Journal.