Recorded presentation

Dennis W. Malmer, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45330, Olympia, WA 98504-5330, (360) 438-8086, malmedw@dshs.wa.gov

Washington State, under the leadership of the Governor, directed the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) to plan and implement Washington State Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (WASBIRT) for persons with substance use disorders including abuse and dependence. Six hospital emergency departments (EDs) located in Washington State are implementing the program.

The project is designed to achieve six goals. These are: (1) identify a large number of ED patients with substance abuse problems; (2) deliver screening and brief intervention in six hospital EDs; (3) provide brief treatment on an outpatient basis at certified treatment agencies; (4) increase referrals to certified agencies of dependent persons from the generalist settings; (5) reduce subsequent ED utilization, medical costs, criminal behavior, disability, and death of patients with alcohol and drug problems of all severity levels; and, (6) involve a multitude of perspectives to explore systems change to improve existing linkages to these services and to expand substance abuse services to include early intervention.

This presentation, provided during a panel discussion, will provide an overview of training opportunities for chemical dependency professionals (CDPs) conducting screening and brief interventions in hospital emergency departments. Learning objectives, for the purpose of achieving policy change at the state and emergency department level, include: (1) reviewing barriers for integrating CDPs into an acute health care environment; (2) providing supervision to allied health professionals in an emergency department; and (3) exploring referral processes and inter-departmental relationships.

Learning Objectives: This presentation, provided during a panel discussion, will provide an overview of training opportunities for chemical dependency professionals (CDPs) conducting screening and brief interventions in hospital emergency departments. Learning objectives, for the purpose of achieving policy change at the state and emergency department level, include

(
• reviewing barriers for integrating CDPs into an acute health care environment; (
• providing supervision to allied health professionals in an emergency department; and (
• exploring referral processes and inter-departmental relationships.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation