EDARA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Evaluation of Alcohol Intoxication Management Services (AIMS): Implications for Service Delivery, Patient Benefit and Harm Reduction
IRAS ID
192273
Contact name
Simon Moore
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
to be confirmed , ISRCTN
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Drunkenness is a common night-time problem in many UK towns and cities. Traditionally, the very drunk have either been escorted to a hospital Emergency Departments (ED) so that their health can be monitored or drunken offenders went into police custody. Recently the police issued guidance for all UK forces stating that those who are drunk cannot be housed in custody due to possible health complications, unless a clinical decision maker determines that it is safe to do so. The ED is one of the few clinical services available in the evening and this is where most of those who need clinical input end up, typically by ambulance. This places additional demand on overstretched emergency services at a time when they are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand.\n\nAlcohol Intoxication Management Services (AIMS) sometimes called “Drunk Tanks” in the media and Alcohol Welfare Centres or Alcohol Treatment Centres (ATCs) elsewhere, are services that provide a safe environment in which drunk people can be assessed, treated if necessary, monitored or referred to hospital (but only if required). The primary goal is to safely divert as many of those who are drunk away from the ED into AIMS to improve the provision of care in EDs, provide facilities where police, ambulance and others can quickly hand over drunk patients to staff and therefore improve patient experiences of care in the community generally.\n\nWe plan to evaluate the acceptability, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of AIMS. This will involve interviews with people using AIMS, questionnaire surveys of people using AIMS and people using EDs (as they may benefit through reducing the number of drunk people in shared waiting areas), analysis of AIMS activity and outcomes, comparison of ambulance service and hospital key performance indicators between areas with and without AIMS, and simulation modelling of cost-effectiveness.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
16/WA/0065
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion