Australian studies have showed 20-40% of emergency department presentations are linked to alcohol misuse (Roche 2001, Conigrave 1991). The New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Plan 2006-10 (NSW Health 2007) has recognised the need for improved addiction treatment resources in hospital settings. The plan aims to establish Dug and Alcohol Consultation Liaison Services in hospitals across New South Wales. However, there are few reports that detail the activity of hospital drug and alcohol consultation liaison services.
The John Hunter Hospital is a 500 bed tertiary referral hospital in regional New South Wales. In June New South Wales Department of Health enhanced the consultation liaison funding to provide 7 day per week drug and alcohol consultation liaison service to the John Hunter Hospital. Addiction services are provided through a 7 day per week nursing roster, staffed by addiction medicine specialists, a nurse practitioner, nurses and a medical registrar. Services are provided to the emergency department, hospital wards, pre-admission services, antenatal services, and joint conulatartion liaison services with the psychiatric team and pain management team. Patient tracking occurs using CHIME, the area wide data record system.
Prospective data has been recorded on all new referrals to the consultation liaison service since May 2008.
This paper will report on all referrals to the service from May to October 2008, including referral sources, services delivered and proximal outcomes.