Hospitals launch pioneering digital tool to improve alcohol withdrawal care

Clinical, digital and nursing teams at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) have created an electronic alcohol withdrawal assessment, enabling them to better identify patients in need of support.

UHD is believed to be the only Trust in the country to have an electronic CIWA - the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for alcohol.

Nursing teams use the digital assessment to identify patients who may be at risk of alcohol withdrawal when they first come on to the ward. Once identified, UHD’s specialist addiction team can then support nursing colleagues and remotely monitor patients on the CIWA pathway, intervening quickly if required.

After two years of development, testing and refinement, the assessment was officially launched in July. Within the first two weeks, more than 100 patients across Poole and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital were identified as being at risk of alcohol withdrawal and were started on the electronic CIWA pathway.

Lucie Chetwynd, Lead Specialist Addiction Nurse, said: “If not managed properly, alcohol withdrawal can have very serious consequences for patients. Having a digital solution to this important assessment means we can act quickly if medication is overdue, for example, or intervene where necessary.

“It’s having a big impact already and has also raised awareness around addictions in general.”

Helen Turner, Clinical Digital Nurse, added: “The eform is easier to audit and speeds up the whole process. We’ve had really positive feedback from our nurses on the wards and this now paves the way forward for other assessments for other teams.

“This is a great example of collaboration and how clinical, digital and nursing teams work together to make a difference to patients.”