This is the case of secondary prevention in victims of traffic accidents.
We know that near 45% of all injuries from 16 to 70 years, admitted to the hospital, alcohol, drugs of abuse and/or psychiatric drugs are present. The intake of these substances is the main risk factor for accidents and injuries.
It is done by a semi-structured interview limited in time (30-45 minutes) and its objective is to promote a change in risk behavior, where it is present. However in Spain, this type of secondary prevention practically is not performed.
The reasons of zero activity in this field are multiple. There is no doubt that as a non-commercial activity could influence, because nobody promotes this activity. On the other hand there is a reluctance by healthcare professionals derived from the legal uncertainty generated by obtaining the determination of exposure to these substances, even if it is only for clinical use.
It might seem that explore the exhibition to the main risk factor for relapse in patients with trauma, it is violating more privacy than determining hemoglobin-glycosylated in the diabetic patient, although in both cases the end is secondary prevention.
We learn by hits.
Dr. Enrique Fernandez Mondéjar and Sergio Cordovilla.
President of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC)
Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental – Alejandro Otero (FIBAO)
Neorotrauma Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves.