PATIENT ADMISSION: ADMITTING PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Course overview

Substance abuse is the use of alcohol or other substances (e.g., psychoactive drugs, prescription medications) that results in functional impairment and disruption in a person’s life. Admitting patients with a history of substance abuse refers to admitting patients to a hospital or other healthcare facility who currently abuse substances or who have misused substances in the past. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of relevant research on the general principles of admitting a patient with a history of substance abuse, including why this is performed, patient history information to gather, and information to provide to the patient’s family. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.