A survey of trauma surgeons evaluates "their support for implementing alcohol screening and brief intervention in trauma centers...Most surgeons surveyed supported alcohol screening, and 72% supported brief interventions. Research assistants who had no previous training in alcohol screening and brief interventions were successfully trained to screen and interview patients. One half-time research assistant was able to screen the eligible inpatient trauma population, with the exception of patients who were hospitalized on the weekends."

The study revealed that "nearly 17% of patients at one trauma center were not screened because of language barriers. On any given day, roughly half the patients could not be screened because of the severity of their injuries, although most patients were eventually screened during their hospital stay."

Schermer CR. Feasibility of alcohol screening and brief intervention. J Trauma. 2005 Sep;59(3 Suppl):S119-23; discussion S124-33.