[Randomized study of alcohol screening at a surgical emergency unit. Effective method for uncovering risky alcohol...

This study examined whether alcohol screening identifies a larger percentage of patients with hazardous alcohol use compared with standard procedures at a surgical emergency unit. Patients were randomised into a study group, where a screening procedure was offered, and a control group, where standard procedures were followed. In the study group 20.9 per cent (using a conservative estimate, 14.8 per cent) of the patients screened positive for hazardous alcohol use, compared with 6.8 per cent in the control group. The screening procedure was particularly effective compared with normal routine in identifying hazardous alcohol use among young women.