IMPROVING ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL CARE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Alcohol misuse, including withdrawal, is the seventh most common presenting complaint this year in our Emergency Department (ED). The current standard assessment tool for patients at risk or in alcohol withdrawal is the Clinical Institute of Withdrawal Assessment – Alcohol Revived (CIWA-Ar). Despite having a standardized approach to assessing and managing patients in alcohol withdrawal, many of our nurses and physicians have raised concerns about the tool and inconsistencies with its use.

This project aims to improve how RNs and ordering practitioners (MD/PA/NP) assess and manage alcohol withdrawal in the ED. Our QI project will first assess current practice using CIWA-Ar and the ED alcohol withdrawal order set to assess and treat patients in alcohol withdrawal. Once we have identified the barriers to meeting standards of care, we aim to develop solutions that will improve patient care and safety.

PROJECT LEADS