In 2006, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) adopted a requirement for certification as a level one trauma center that mandated universal screening for alcohol misuse and delivery of a brief intervention for those screening positive. Though this requirement has been mandated for a decade, its implementation has been challenging, especially for pediatric trauma centers. Our research team completed a CDC funded implementation study supporting seven pediatric trauma centers' compliance with the ACS requirement by developing and implementing an institutional alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol for adolescent trauma patients. A mixed-methods approach indicated that SBIRT adoption rates increased at all sites; however, providers' fidelity to the SBIRT intervention was variable, and providers reported a number of barriers to SBIRT implementation. The goal of this application is to conduct a fully powered Type III hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to test the effectiveness of a comprehensive implementation strategy in increasing the implementation of SBIRT for alcohol and other drug use in pediatric trauma centers. Our implementation strategy is based on the Science to Service Laboratory (SSL), an approach developed by the SAMHSA-funded Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTCs) that consists of the same three core elements (i.e., didactic training + performance feedback + leadership coaching) used in our CDC study. Based on feedback from the CDC study, two enhancements were made to the SSL strategy: 1) integration of the intervention into the electronic medical record as a means of improving SBIRT adherence; and 2) development of separate training tracks for nurses, social workers and organizational leaders to meet the unique needs of each group. In addition, we integrate counseling around the use of prescription pain relievers into the SBIRT intervention as an Exploratory Aim, since most pediatric trauma center patients are discharged on pain medication and patients with a history of AOD use are at elevated risk of opioid misuse. Utilizing a stepped wedge design, a national cohort of 10 pediatric trauma centers will receive the SSL implementation strategy. Data collection for this study relies on multiple sources. At six distinct time points, each of the 10 sites will provide data from 30 EMR charts (n = 1800 charts in total). A subset of adolescents will also report on fidelity of intervention delivery and linkage to care (i.e., continued AOD discussion and/or treatment with a primary care provider) 1 month post hospital discharge. In addition, nurses, social workers, and leaders from each pediatric trauma center will report on organizational readiness for implementation at three distinct time points. Results of this study will demonstrate that a highly scalable implementation strategy, adapted for pediatric trauma centers from the results of our mixed-methods implementation trial, will improve the fidelity (i.e., the consistency and quality) of SBIRT delivery in pediatric trauma centers.

Public Health Relevance

This research has the potential to significantly impact public health by improving SBIRT practices at pediatric trauma centers and direct more adolescent with alcohol or other drug use to needed services. The contribution of the proposed Type III hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial in testing the effectiveness of a comprehensive implementation strategy in increasing SBIRT for alcohol and other drug use in pediatric trauma centers has clinical importance, public health relevance and significance to implementation science.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AA025914-01
Application #
9364243
Study Section
Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health Study Section (DIRH)
Program Officer
Ducharme, Lori
Project Start
2017-08-01
Project End
2022-07-31
Budget Start
2017-08-01
Budget End
2018-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rhode Island Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075710996
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02903