Implementing an Updated Alcohol Withdrawal Symptom Management Order Set Focused on Patient Safety

Patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal often receive care on inpatient mental health units. Registered nurses on one such unit had several concerns and questions about the existing alcohol withdrawal symptom management order set. To address these issues, a multidisciplinary team including nurses, psychiatrists, and pharmacists was formed.

The aims for this project were to review and revise the existing order set, educate staff, implement the changes, and evaluate outcomes.

The Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement framework guided the project. Five phases were completed to revise the order set and implement: a survey of nurses on the unit, community practice evaluation, and order set revisions. A simulation escape room facilitated nursing education. Patient records were reviewed to identify adverse events.

Diazepam replaced lorazepam as the primary medication choice, and a front-loading protocol was added. Order set clarity was improved, education increased nursing staff confidence to competently complete a patient assessment with the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Alcohol Scale Revised, and no adverse patient events occurred after implementation.

A revised order set for symptom management of patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal reflected up-to-date evidence while maintaining patient safety. All nurses agreed the revised order set was clear and easy to follow; pharmacists and physicians were satisfied with the revisions. Implications for leaders include having a multidisciplinary team, sufficient resources to answer clinical questions, and regular discussions by all involved disciplines to review any adverse events as well as newly published evidence. Close monitoring of patients early in implementation is recommended to detect adverse events.