The document discusses the importance of public health efforts in Morristown, New Jersey to prevent alcohol abuse. It notes that addiction treatment is an unmet need in the community. Binge drinking can lead to health risks like injuries from accidents or assaults. The hospital conducted a retrospective study of inpatients with alcohol use disorders from 2015-2016. Psychology students will provide motivational interviewing and referrals for continued treatment. The intervention will be evaluated from December 2016 to May 2017. One year later, data will be analyzed to see if bedside counseling made a difference in readmission and relapse rates. The goal is to address underlying alcohol abuse issues rather than just providing treatment during hospitalization.

1. The Importance of the Public Health Role in Preventing
Alcohol Abuse in the Morristown Community
Kristi Mobus
Lise Cooper, Preceptor, Clinical Coordinator Jefferson 4 Unit
Morristown Medical Center
Purpose:​ ​Our Community Health, Community Engagement, and Health Improvement Department
identifies one of the unmet needs in our surrounding communities as addiction treatment, interventions, or
counseling. This finding is consistent with findings in the general United States population that there are
missed opportunities for health promotion intervention in the alcohol withdrawal in-patient population.
Significance:​ ​ Binge drinking can lead to many other health risks besides alcohol poisoning. It can lead to
unintentional injuries such as car accidents and/or falling and injuring one's self, or it can lead to
intentional injuries that can result in homicide or assault. If the opportunity to encourage an overall
healthier population of that community occurs, it is necessary to take action. ​Consistent with a life span
framework for alcohol-use problems, normally, child abuse, alcoholism, depressive disorder, and alcohol
or drug-use problems, are interrelated (Flynn). The issue of alcohol-use problems can be targeted with
bedside counseling and the number of readmissions and relapses may decrease. The goal is to complete
and intervention and get the patients the help they need, instead of providing treatment and discharging
them without ever addressing the underlying issues of alcohol abuse or independence..
Method/approach:
1. We first performed a retrospective chart study of qualified in-patients from December 2015 to
May 2016 based on the alcohol abuse and dependence ICD-10 diagnostic codes.
2. We then use the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), a short questionnaire asking
about our in-patients drinking habits.
3. When we have doctoral candidates in Psychology begin motivational interviewing at the bedside
and provide referrals for continued help after medical discharge.
Evaluation/Conclusion:
Starting December 8, 2016 and going until May 25, 2017, the intervention of motivational interviewing at
the bedside will occur. From the retrospective chart review we know that our previous in-patients with
alcohol-use problems are English speaking, white, single, not employed, never receive a psychiatric
evaluation, and only admitted once into our facility. We expect to see similar results when analyzing the
group that will receive bedside counseling. One year later for the same time frame we will again collect
data on medical records to see if the bedside counseling made a difference in the population coming to the
hospital. We are also working with our Community Health Nursing Department in an effort to address the
community needs assessment of addiction treatment, interventions, and counseling services.

2. Flynn, H.A., & Chaermack, S.T. (2008). Prenatal Alcohol Use: The Role of Lifetime
Problems with Alcohol, Drugs, Depression, and Violence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and
Drugs J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 69(4), 500-509.