A new methodology for examining the efficacy of SBIRT protocols on reducing healthcare utilization and costs

Background There is increasing interest in deploying Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) practices in emergency departments (ED). However, the current literature is inconclusive on whether or not SBIRT practices are cost effective and cost beneficial. In order to answer this question, new analytical methods need to be developed. The objective of the following study was to pilot a new experimental methodology modeling costs using a multilevel generalized linear model (GLM) for studying the impact of SBIRT on healthcare utilization and costs.