Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .
Attempted referral as intervention for problem drinking in the general hospital.
Summary Baseline data were collected on 263 general hospital patients screened as problem drinkers , who were r and omly allocated to one of two groups . In one group an attempt was made to refer patients for treatment while no action was taken for the other . Both groups were followed up at 12 and 18 months . At 12 months the referred group had improved significantly more than the control group in terms of self-reported alcohol problems , personal happiness , period since last drinking and work performance . However , these effects had diminished at 18 months , largely because of improvements in the control group after the 12-months follow-up , which appeared to function as an intervention . These results suggest that intervention following screening is of benefit , and that such a strategy could usefully be incorporated into normal hospital routine
Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .