This publication details an innovative model for the delivery of Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) to people with hazardous/harmful alcohol use who present to acute hospital settings.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified alcohol use as a leading cause of mortality and disability, ranking it in the top five risk factors for disease burden. In Ireland it is suggested that that between 20% and 50% of all presentations to Emergency Departments (EDs) are alcohol related, with the figure rising to over 80% at peak weekend periods.

The second report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol (2004) advocates the use of SBI across a range of health care settings including primary care, community services and general hospitals. It is well recognised that Nurses and other health care professionals can play a central role in the delivery of these interventions.

The SAOR model provides an evidence-based practical step by step guide to the delivery of SBI for hazardous/harmful alcohol use in acute care settings. It incorporates all the key components of SBI including the common elements of screening, assessment, intervention and referral. This model has been utilised in a comprehensive training and development programme for Emergency Nurses here in the south-east of Ireland. It is anticipated that it will now contribute to the development of both regional and national training programmes on SBI for hazardous/harmful alcohol use in Emergency Departments and Acute Care settings.