Disseminating Organizational Screening and Brief Intervention Services (DO-SBIS) for alcohol at trauma centers study design

ObjectiveIn 2005, the American College of Surgeons passed a mandate requiring that Level I trauma centers have a mechanism to identify patients who are problem drinkers and have the capacity to provide an intervention for patients who screen positive. The aim of the Disseminating Organizational Screening and Brief Intervention Services (DO-SBIS) cluster randomized trial is to test a multilevel intervention targeting the implementation of high-quality alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) services at trauma centers.MethodTwenty sites selected from all United States Level I trauma centers were randomized to participate in the trial. Intervention site providers receive a combination of workshop training in evidence-based motivational interviewing (MI) interventions and organizational development activities prior to conducting trauma-center-based alcohol SBI with blood-alcohol-positive injured patients. Control sites implement care as usual. Provider MI skills, patient alcohol consumption, and organizational acceptance of SBI implementation outcomes are assessed.ResultsThe investigation has successfully recruited provider, patient and trauma center staff samples into the study, and outcomes are being followed longitudinally.ConclusionWhen completed, the DO-SBIS trial will inform future American College of Surgeons’ policy targeting the sustained integration of high-quality alcohol SBI at trauma centers nationwide.