A Dartmouth Health addiction psychiatrist has developed a new screening protocol for patients who might benefit from targeted interventions for substance use disorder. The screening and referral algorithm, which was published in a peer-reviewed study earlier this year, is the first of its kind in the medical field and the only screening tool that does not require input from the patient. Instead, the screening tool uses data points from available medical and law enforcement records. Data could include results from drug screenings at hospital emergency departments, current or past sobriety treatment regimens, and involuntary commitments or failures to comply with terms of release, based on substance use. Researchers say this is beneficial, since patients experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency may not be able to provide information regarding their substance use. The new protocol allows clinicians to more accurately identify patients who would benefit from early screening by a psychiatrist who specializes in substance use disorder. The new process is being currently being tested. The goal is to make treatment available sooner and improve patient outcomes. Traditionally, patients who are receiving treatment at New Hampshire Hospital would be referred to a substance use psychiatrist by their general psychiatrist or nurse practitioner at any point in their treatment if it was identified and deemed necessary. Under the new protocol, researchers say the hospital could better ensure patients are on the right treatment from the start of their hospital stay. Dartmouth Health Chair of Psychiatry William C. Torrey, MD, said the screening algorithm would be well suited to acute psychiatric hospitals everywhere.
A Dartmouth Health addiction psychiatrist has developed a new screening protocol for patients who might benefit from targeted interventions for substance use disorder.
The screening and referral algorithm, which was published in a peer-reviewed study earlier this year, is the first of its kind in the medical field and the only screening tool that does not require input from the patient.
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Instead, the screening tool uses data points from available medical and law enforcement records. Data could include results from drug screenings at hospital emergency departments, current or past sobriety treatment regimens, and involuntary commitments or failures to comply with terms of release, based on substance use.
Researchers say this is beneficial, since patients experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency may not be able to provide information regarding their substance use.
The new protocol allows clinicians to more accurately identify patients who would benefit from early screening by a psychiatrist who specializes in substance use disorder.
The new process is being currently being tested. The goal is to make treatment available sooner and improve patient outcomes.
Traditionally, patients who are receiving treatment at New Hampshire Hospital would be referred to a substance use psychiatrist by their general psychiatrist or nurse practitioner at any point in their treatment if it was identified and deemed necessary.
Under the new protocol, researchers say the hospital could better ensure patients are on the right treatment from the start of their hospital stay.
Dartmouth Health Chair of Psychiatry William C. Torrey, MD, said the screening algorithm would be well suited to acute psychiatric hospitals everywhere.
