title: Implementing an Alcohol Withdrawal Protocol: A Quality Improvement Project.
abstract: This quality improvement project evaluates the effectiveness of implementing an evidence-based alcohol withdrawal protocol in an acute care setting. Patient outcomes, length of stay, and nurses' knowledge and satisfaction with care are compared pre- and postimplementation. Implementation resulted in significant reduction of restraint use, transfers to critical care, 1:1 observation, and length of stay, whereas no reduction was seen in rapid response calls. Nurses' knowledge post-alcohol withdrawal protocol education increased and satisfaction with patient care improved.
authors: Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, New Jersey (Drs Holt and Skotzko); and Adult Health Department, University of South Alabama College of Nursing, Mobile, Alabama (Drs Dearmon, Lawrence, and Lewis).
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Holt
authors: Valorie
authors: V
authors: Dearmon
authors: Sherry M
authors: SM
authors: Lawrence
authors: Chrystal L
authors: CL
authors: Lewis
authors: Christine E
authors: CE
authors: Skotzko
mesh_terms: D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement