Realities of disaster preparedness in rural hospitals.

Disaster preparedness has always been an area of major concern for the medical community, but recent world events have prompted an increased interest. The health care system must respond to disasters of all types, whether the incidents occur in urban or rural settings. Although the barriers and challenges are different in the rural setting, common areas of preparedness must be explored.

Realities of rural emergency medical services disaster preparedness.

Introduction: Disaster preparedness is an area of major concern for the medical community that has been reinforced by recent world events. The emergency healthcare system must respond to all types of disasters, whether the incidents occur in urban or rural settings. Although the barriers and challenges are different in the rural setting, common areas of preparedness must be explored.

Screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems among college students treated in a university hospital emergency department.

The authors evaluated a protocol to screen and provide brief interventions for alcohol problems to college students treated at a university hospital emergency department (ED). Of 2,372 drinkers they approached, 87% gave informed consent. Of those, 54% screened positive for alcohol problems (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score < or = 6).

Feasibility of screening and intervention for alcohol problems among young adults in the ED.

This study evaluates the feasibility of screening and brief intervention (SBI) for alcohol problems among young adults (18-39 years) in a rural, university ED. Research staff screened a convenience sample of patients waiting for medical treatment with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), used motivational interviewing techniques to counsel screen-positive patients (AUDIT >/= 6) during the ED visit, and referred patients to off-site alcohol treatment as appropriate. Patients were interviewed again at 3 months.

Alcohol problems among young adult emergency department patients: making predictions using routine sociodemographic information.

Objectives: The study aims were to explore the process of identifying young adult Emergency Department (ED) patients at risk for alcohol problems, examine the sociodemographic predictors of patient alcohol problems, and determine differences between patients who screened positive and those who screened negative for alcohol problems. Implications for ED practice are discussed.

Method: As part of a larger study, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was administered to consenting patients ages 18 to 29.