DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALCOHOL-WITHDRAWAL CLINICAL PATHWAY - AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROCESS

Studies show that as many as 40 percent of all patients in general hos pitals are admitted because of complications related to alcoholism. Ho wever, the literature has little in specific clinical pathways, treatm ent protocols, or guidelines for the interdisciplinary care of these p atients in the acute care setting. Furthermore, the Little information that is published shows a lack of consistency in recommended treatmen t regimes. This article reviews a coordinated, interdisciplinary effor t in developing and implementing a clinical pathway for alcohol withdr awal.