In a study that compared using AWAT and CIWA-Ar scores to assess severity of alcohol withdrawal, in what percent of patients did the two scores result in the same conclusion for the need for treatment?
58% of the time, the scores resulted in the same recommendation for treatment. In 40%, treatment plans were different based on CIWA-Ar vs AWAT scores, with AWAT being more likely to trigger medication administration.
Davis CR, Keen A, Compton L, Rader T, Harbison R, Twibell R. Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Tool (AWAT) Reliability and Validity: Implications for Nurses Caring for Inpatients With Mental Health Disorders. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/10783903231183910
Contributed by Kristine Nanagas, MD