MGH To Quiz All Patients About Use Of Alcohol And Illegal Drugs

BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts General Hospital plans to begin questioning all patients about their use of alcohol and illegal drugs starting this fall, even if they are at MGH for a totally unrelated issue. Dr. Sarah Wakeman, director of substance abuse disorders at Mass. General, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Carl Stevens the purpose is to make substance abuse treatment part of mainstream medical care. WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Carl Stevens reports MGH To Ask Patients About Alcohol And Illegal DrugsWBZ NewsRadio 1030playpausejQuery(document).ready(function($) { cbs_audio_player_v2("audio-player-1"); }); “We’re really trying to make this health condition like any other so just like we do diabetes screening or blood pressure screening or ask people about sunscreen, it just becomes one more component of health care that we ask about,” Wakeman explained. Four questions will be posed, including “how often have you had six or more drinks on one occasion,” and “how often have you used an illegal drug in the past year?” Enough “yes” answers could prompt a special team to conduct what’s being called a “bedside intervention” and possible treatment. The mandatory treatment plan comes amid soaring numbers of opiate addiction across Massachusetts and the region, with many hospitals working to improve addiction treatment. MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON Boston Police, Mayor Boosting Efforts To Stop ViolenceHigher Gas Prices And Heav...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Heard On WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Local Syndicated Local Watch Listen Carl Stevens Mass General Hospital MGH MGH director of substance abuse disorders questions about alcohol and illegal drugs Sarah Wakeman substance abuse screening Source Type: news