FASTer Access to Alcohol Treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FASTer Access to Alcohol Treatment: Examining the performance and utility of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) subscales and the care needs of emergency department attendees with alcohol use disorders
IRAS ID
275280
Contact name
Thomas Phillips
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) are treatable conditions that affect communities and families, and have been linked to over 200 mental health and medical conditions, accidents and violent/non-violent injuries. The impact of alcohol across the NHS is estimated to cost £3.5bn/year, the majority of which is attributable to emergency department (ED) attendances and inpatient admissions.
This study will explore whether short alcohol screening questionnaires (Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test - Consumption tool (AUDIT-C)) can be used in the ED to accurately identify AUDs and the need for alcohol treatment. Study results will help improve pathways of care for people who experience AUDs across Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. The development of care pathways and service response will be informed by ED attender experience of home drinking, and collection of injury data will lead to greater understanding of alcohol-related violence in the community.
This is a prospective observational study that aims to recruit 620 ED attenders over consecutive 24-hour periods over 1 month in the ED department at Hull Royal Infirmary. ED attenders will be approached by trained researchers and consenting participants will be requested to complete a series of alcohol measures (MINI, FAST and AUDIT tools), presented in a random order. Current drinkers will be asked to complete the Home Drinking Assessment Scale (HDAS). All participants will be asked for information relating to the nature of their ED attendance, demographic information, injury details and use of health and social care resources and criminal justice services over the last 6 months. In addition, participants will be asked to give consent for researchers to access to their ED patient record related to their ED attendance to obtain information about their diagnosis and discharge to aid understanding of current care pathways for ED attenders with AUDs.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0053
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion