Implementing standardized substance use disorder screening in primary care.

OBJECTIVES: This quality improvement initiative aimed to develop and implement a protocol for an alcohol and substance use disorder screening for primary care. METHODS: The Two Item Conjoint Screen was selected and a process was piloted by care teams. Quality improvement tools were used to improve the protocol. Primary care providers (PCPs) were surveyed about their use of the screening protocol in the primary care setting. Data on total number of screenings were collected through the electronic health record. RESULTS: Implementation resulted in more than 30,000 screenings completed in 2016. PCP survey results indicated that PCPs felt screening was helpful in identifying potential substance use problems (100%) and that most providers (76%) felt that overall patient care improved after screening was initiated. CONCLUSIONS: Brief alcohol and substance use disorder screenings can be easily implemented and well integrated into primary care settings. PCPs found screenings to be valuable in caring for patients.