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 .
Screening and brief intervention for hazardous drinking in an HMO: Effects on medical care utilization
This study examined whether a brief intervention to reduce hazardous alcohol consumption among primary care patients reduced use of medical care . In a parent , r and omized controlled trial , at-risk drinkers identified in HMO outpatient waiting rooms were r and omly assigned to receive usual care or brief clinician advice plus a 15-minute motivational counseling session . The current study ( n=514 ) examined the groups ' use of outpatient and inpatient medical services during two years after intervention . Although the intervention reduced alcohol consumption at six-month follow-up , intervention and control groups made similar numbers of outpatient visits ( M=17.7 vs. 18.3 , respectively;p=.47 ) , were equally likely to be hospitalized ( 21.2 % vs. 22.0%;p=.81 ) , and , among those hospitalized , had similar lengths of stay ( 4.7 vs. 6.6 days;p=.37 ) . Although brief interventions to reduce hazardous drinking may potentially reduce medical care utilization , more evidence is needed to substantiate their practicality and cost-effectiveness
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 .