Standardized Screening Improves Substance Use Detection Before Surgery

Standardized taps screening identified unhealthy substance use more effectively than routine ehr documentation among 240 surgical patients. Younger individuals were more likely to exhibit substance use, with alcohol misuse frequently detected only by taps. Clinician documentation had lower sensitivity and accuracy compared to taps, missing a significant number of cases. Integrating standardized measures like taps in surgical practice could improve perioperative care outcomes.