CAGE Assessment and Legal Issues: The Basics
The CAGE Assessment has a high rate of false positives, which can lead to individuals being wrongly accused of drug abuse. Additionally, the CAGE Assessment may also be used to screen for other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, which can lead to individuals being inappropriately diagnosed.
The CAGE Assessment and Informed Consent
Informed consent is not a one-time event but rather a continuous process. Patients should be kept informed of the risks and benefits of taking the CAGE Assessment throughout their care. Informed consent forms should be updated as new information becomes available. Patients should be allowed to ask questions and withdraw their consent at any time.
The CAGE Assessment and Confidentiality
There are a few exceptions to confidentiality, such as when a patient is a danger to themselves or others or when required by law. However, in general, healthcare providers must keep patient information confidential. Patients should feel confident that their healthcare provider will respect their privacy and keep their information confidential. If a patient has concerns about confidentiality, they should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
The CAGE Assessment and Discrimination
The assessment should be used to help identify patients who may be at risk for alcohol abuse and to help provide them with treatment and resources. Discriminating against patients based on their race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristic is against the law and can result in penalties for the healthcare provider.
The CAGE Assessment in Drug Abuse Screening
There are some important legal issues to be aware of before using the assessment. Healthcare professionals should make sure they are familiar with these issues before using the assessment.
References
Han, B. H., & Moore, A. A. (2018). Prevention and screening of unhealthy substance use by older adults. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 34(1), 117-129. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2017.08.005
Hawk, K., & D’Onofrio, G. (2018). Emergency department screening and interventions for substance use disorders. Addiction science & clinical practice, 13(1),1-6. Web.