UHNM Alcohol Care Team launch a new on-line test using Patients Know Best

Patients at University Hospitals of North Midlands are being given the opportunity to identify if the amount of alcohol they drink is causing a risk to their heath, thanks to a new online app.

The Alcohol Care Team at UHNM have launched a new on-line test using the new patient portal, Patients Know Best (PKB), to promote responsible drinking. Any patient who is visiting the emergency department or has an appointment at the hospital will now be able to discreetly self-register for PKB and answer an Alcohol Self-Assessment Test.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) is an alcohol screen that can help identify patients who are drinking at levels that may pose a risk to health.

Angela Hulstone, UHNM Lead Alcohol Care Nurse, said: “The hospital’s Alcohol Care Team provides support and advice regarding excess alcohol consumption for inpatients. The PKB app will provide an opportunity to reach out to those who attend the hospital in an outpatient setting and provide written advice and onward referral to community alcohol services should they consent. One in eight people who receive brief advice will reduce their drinking to lower levels which has the potential to reduce health harms.”

The patients score and level of risk is explained and a brief advice and alcohol dependency leaflet is available in the on-line PKB library to support change. Where appropriate some patients might consent to be referred to community services for further support and intervention.