Alcohol withdrawal in a medical-surgical setting: the 'too little, too late' phenomenon.
Alcohol withdrawal within a medical-surgical setting frequently causes management problems and negative patient outcomes. The authors describe a multidisciplinary withdrawal protocol that addresses risk management and quality of care issues. Fewer "Against Medical Advice" discharges and staff assaults, and decreased length of stay were reported as a result of the protocol's implementation.
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Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, USA.
Phelps
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Cowan
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000451:nursing*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects