InSight

Abra la Puerta Para Mejorar Salud (para los pacientes)

InSight Outcomes

InSight has provided services to thousands of patients in Harris County. Our compelling results demonstrate that InSight helps patients to reduce their alcohol and drug use, and reduces emergency room visits related to alcohol and drugs. Here are just some of the outcomes achieved to date:

Over 50,000 patients have been screened for alcohol and drug use through the InSight program. Of these, more than 8500 (17%) screened positive and received an intervention.

Patients who received InSight services during 2005 report the following at their six month follow-up:

  71% of alcohol drinkers reduced the number of days they drank alcohol.

  85% of binge drinkers reduced the number of heavy drinking days (5+   drinks in one sitting), and 68% reported no heavy drinking days in the   past 30 days.

  89% of drug users reduced the number of days they used drugs, and   80% reported no usage in the past 30 days.

  76% of patients assessed as needing BT or referral to specialty treatment perceived their general health had improved after receiving InSight services.

An analysis of 853 InSight patients revealed a reduction in use of emergency and inpatient services, resulting in a total cost reduction of more than $4 million for Harris County Hospital District in the year following receipt of InSight services (not including costs of related physician services).

You Can Help

Because alcohol and drug use affects public health, it affects us all. It drives up health care costs, reduces productivity, and devastates lives. It’s everyone's problem; we can all help solve it. Health care providers can help by incorporating InSight services into routine medical care and by teaching peers about SBIRT's benefits. Civic leaders, business leaders and ordinary citizens can share information with others about the impact of drug and alcohol use on public health and reduce stigma around identification and treatment. You can educate elected officials and government agencies, urging them to consider regulatory action to reduce barriers and provide support for widespread implementation of SBIRT.