Effectiveness of a nurse-led alcohol liaison service in a secondary care medical unit

Alcohol misuse is a common reason for hospital admission. While there is considerable evidence from other areas that provision of specialised alcohol services can reduce alcohol intake, there is currently less evidence for medical departments in an acute hospital setting. Nottingham hospitals initiated such a service in 2002-3 based around two nurse specialists who provided input to inpatients with alcohol-related physical disease and provided links to community-based services for alcohol misuse. This service assessed 3,632 patients over five years and has seen a reduction in hospital admissions, violent incidents against staff and primary care attendances. It is believed that this model of care is an effective means of intervening in people with alcohol-related problems.