Implementation of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) by nurses on acute care units: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based intervention for patients with substance use disorders, but this intervention is under-utilized. Little is known about the implementation of SBIRT in acute care facilities. The purpose of this study is to describe implementation of SBIRT by nurses in acute care hospitals. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study. Registered nurses who agreed to participate in the study completed a 1:1 interview using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and then data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: When implementing SBIRT in an acute care setting, participants identified several factors that affect implementation. Some nurses felt that it is “one more thing to do” but other nurses feel that it was a “good, simple” screening tool that does not take long to do and can “plant the seeds of change” for patients. Additionally, participants mentioned barriers and facilitators related to the patients’ responses to SBIRT and organizational factors. Conclusions: This study identified several barriers and facilitators to SBIRT implementation related to the nurses, patients, and organization. By understanding the factors that influence implementation, healthcare providers can develop strategies to support effective implementation of SBIRT.

Keywords:

• Hospitals
• nurses
• Screening
• Brief Implementation
• and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
• substance-related disorders
• substance-use disorders
• systems implementation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

All authors contributed to study design, data analysis, and the final manuscript

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. (The funding source was not involved in study design, data collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing the report, or decisions to submit the article for publication.)