Nursing care of hospitalized medical patients with addictions

The purpose of this study is to discuss the literature regarding the development of a clinical pathway for substance abuse screening and brief intervention in an acute care facility for medical patients using Motivational Interviewing (MI). We reviewed the literature on the use of brief Motivational Interviewing for adult substance abuse treatment in hospitalized patients and we looked at the design and implementation of a clinical pathway that involves the screening and brief intervention for adult patients with substance abuse problems. Our research supports brief Motivational Interviewing techniques on adult hospitalized patients with substance abuse. The nursing literature identifies brief Motivational Interviewing as an evidence based approach to patients with substance abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)