Methodist Dallas Medical Center launches Alcohol Intervention Program

BY LYNETTE WILKINSON
Methodist Dallas Medical Center

Visit the emergency room at Methodist Dallas Medical Center on a busy  weekend night, and it becomes apparent that alcohol plays a major role in a number of injuries. In fact, the National Safety Council has estimated that approximately three of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives. Approximately 38 percent  of the approximately 1,500 patients treated in the Methodist Dallas trauma center each year and admitted to Methodist have alcohol-related injuries. Many binge drinkers, even after being hurt in an alcohol-related crash, often deny they have a problem.

Now, however, Methodist Dallas has joined trauma centers across the country in a new intervention program designed to help seriously injured binge drinkers acknowledge the role that alcohol played in their accidents.

"A fair amount of the trauma cases we treat in the Methodist Dallas Trauma Center are alcohol-related," said Dr. Ernest Dunn, chair of emergency medicine at Methodist Dallas. "Instead of just treating these patients and releasing them to repeat the same behavior, Methodist has decided to be proactive and try to make a difference in their lives and their behavior. A trip to the ER is a very teachable moment."

The Methodist Dallas program includes bedside screening for patients admitted to the Methodist Dallas trauma center, and brief intervention for those who test positive during the screening. Methodist goes beyond the basic screening required of Level II trauma centers, to provide intervention and education as well. Education is provided in cooperation with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and includes monthly seminars on alcohol consumption hosted by MADD. The seminars are available free of charge to patients and staff.

For more information, please call Janna Fagan, 214-947-8404.