Alcohol Screening in the Acute Care Hospital

Many people admitted to the acute care hospital routinely use alcohol. Their patterns of drinking may vary widely from being low risk to hazardous. It is known that alcohol plays a part in the etiology of some illnesses and adds risk of further morbidity with the development of withdrawal symptoms. Conducting alcohol screening on patients admitted to the hospital cues the nurse to identify those patients in jeopardy of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Nurses can be proactive in planning interventions for their patients. Early recognition and a timely response can facilitate healing and form an environment that is caring, protective and respectful of the patient's needs.