Using electronic health records to find patients with risky alcohol use before surgery

Leveraging electronic health records to identify risky alcohol use prior to surgery

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10894041

This study is looking at how we can use electronic health records to find out if patients are drinking too much alcohol before their scheduled surgeries, so we can help them get the support they need to avoid complications and have better outcomes.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10894041 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how electronic health records (EHRs) can be utilized to identify patients who consume excessive alcohol prior to elective surgeries. By analyzing both structured and unstructured data within EHRs, the study aims to develop algorithms that can accurately detect risky alcohol use at least four weeks before surgery. This early identification allows for timely interventions that can reduce surgical complications and improve patient outcomes. The research employs advanced techniques such as natural language processing and machine learning to extract relevant information from clinical narratives.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for elective surgery who consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Not a fit: Patients who do not consume alcohol or those undergoing emergency surgeries may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce surgical complications and improve recovery times for patients with risky alcohol use.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that leveraging electronic health records for patient risk identification can lead to improved clinical outcomes, indicating a promising approach in this area.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.