Alcohol and drug screening of adolescent trauma alert patients at a level 1 pediatric trauma center.

Background: Adolescent trauma patients are reported to have increased incidence of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, but previous studies have included inadequate screening of the intended populations. A Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center achieved a 94% rate of AOD screening. We hypothesized that a positive AOD screening result is associated with males, increasing age, lower socioeconomic status, violent injury mechanism, higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), lower GCS, need for operation and increased hospital length of stay.

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in the adolescent trauma population: examining barriers to implementation.

Adolescence is a critical stage in human development in which individuals gain independence from parents. This vulnerable period of life often involves experimentation with intoxicating substances and other risky behaviors. This combination of factors may lead to traumatic injury that requires emergency department treatment and hospitalization.