Screening Brief Intervention Referral & Treatment (SBIRT) In 2004, Louisiana's infant mortality rate was 10.4 per 1,000 live births. Louisiana ranked 49th in the nation. The 2004 Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Statewide Needs Assessment identified substance use and mental health issues as the primary unmet needs for pregnant women in Louisiana.  The SBIRT-Healthy Babies Initiative is a direct result of this 2004 FIMR Needs Assessment. 

The initiative is different from, but designed to work in concert with, specialized or traditional treatment.  Historically, the primary focus of specialized treatment has been targeted toward persons with more severe substance use or those who have met the criteria for a Substance Use Disorder.  SBIRT, however, targets those individuals with non-dependent substance use and provides effective strategies for intervention prior to the need for more extensive or specialized treatment.  Mechanisms are also in place to refer those with the greatest addiction severity to specialized treatment. 

A pregnant woman’s concern for her unborn child strongly motivates her to respond positively to her medical providers advice.  Therefore, the long-term goals of the Louisiana SBIRT initiative are to:

• Screen all pregnant Louisiana women at the site of prenatal care—within both, public and private health facilities; and
• Incorporate screening as a routine part of prenatal care.

SBIRT screens for the following risk factors:

• Tobacco Use
• Substance Use
• Alcohol Use
• Mental Health/Depression
• Domestic Violence

The initiative begins with teaching physicians and other healthcare professionals to counsel pregnant women using the "4 Ps Plus Screening Tool" during regularly scheduled appointments.  It is simple, brief and proven to work. The screen optimally occurs at 3 visits during pregnancy and typically takes 3 to 5 minutes.

The SBIRT Initiative Program Coordinator maintains a close relationship with participating facilities through site visits, ongoing training and support. For more information or to set up a time for training, please contact:

                          Mary Craig, RN, MSN, MS
                          Office of Public Health - Maternal and Child Health
                          Director of Perinatal Services
                          Director Statewide SBIRT-Healthy Babies Initiative 
                          504-219-4572
                          mcraig@dhh.la.gov

The Louisiana SBIRT-Healthy Babies Initiative is a partnership with the Office of Addictive Disorders and the Office of Public Health within the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), March of Dimes, Fetal Infant Mortality Review and The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living.