Tranzo Pearl | Early Detection in Hospitals

Maarten van Ooijen, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), visited the Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBZ) regarding the Alcohol Early Detection Project. This working visit gave him more insight into what interventions have been developed and how we can continue and implement them more widely in hospitals in the Netherlands.

During the State Secretary's working visit to the Alcohol Early Detection Project at the Second Line Working Group, he spoke at length with Andrea Rozema (initiator of the Second Line Working Goup), Rob Bovens (project leader of the Positive Lifestyle Foundation) and Jacqueline Bisschop (Science practitioner with PhD research). Among other things, Jacqueline Bisschop explained to the State Secretary exactly what kind of alcohol interventions she has set up at the MDL department within the JBZ, where she is also doing PhD research. The project of the JBZ is one of the promising projects that the national Second Line Working Group is following.

Research on successful early detection in hospitals is still in its infancy. The JBZ is leading the way when it comes to tackling alcohol problems. MDL nurse and PhD researcher Jacqueline Bisschop set up a structure with which (early) detection of and help for patients with alcohol problems has become a fixed part of the working method. She implemented screening instruments and arranged training for care professionals. A multidisciplinary consultation (MDO) was also set up in which psychiatrists and social workers from the neighborhood participate. Sometimes the general practitioner, addiction care, the Public Health Service, the police, and/or people from the municipality also participate. During such an MDO, the various cases are discussed, and it is determined which intervention best suits the patient in question.

The national and political attention for this project is first of all a great recognition for the steps made in (early) detection. In addition, it is a wonderful opportunity to include such interventions in national policy. A step that brings us closer to better public health!