Indicator Description
Screening, brief intervention and referral (SBIR) is an emerging standard of care. Screening involves asking questions about alcohol or drug use. A brief intervention is a conversation between professional and patient designed to reduce alcohol and drug use. Patients who are alcohol or drug dependent are given a referral to treatment. However, the vast majority of patients do not need further treatment beyond the brief intervention. SBIR focuses on moderate "at risk" and light "low risk" target populations. Collectively, these populations do more damage to society than those with alcohol dependence. 

What to Measure

• The presence of training programs and policies for implementing SBIR.
• The use of SBIR in medical settings.

Where to Find Local Data

• Contact your local emergency room and hospital to see if they conduct SBIR.
• Call your state or county medical association to see if they have passed a guidance or resolution related to screening and brief intervention.
• Conduct a brief survey of primary care physicians asking them if they screen their patients for alcohol or drug use.
• Find out if your state has laws associated with SBIR such as the Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law (UPPL) or mandatory DUI assessments. UPPL laws are statutes that allow insurance carriers the right to deny coverage for injuries involving alcohol. UPPL laws often discourage emergency room personnel from conducting SBIR.
• Find out how many doctors in your area are members of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Contact them to see if they do routine SBIR.

Interpretation Guidelines

• The use of SBIR in medical and other settings is also an indicator of health system involvement to reduce excessive alcohol and drug use.

 Demand Treatment Program, Join Together, 2004.