Objective: We aimed to characterize utilization of evidence-based health promotion practices not included in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS) guidelines, such as vaccinations and counseling services, hypothesizing that missed opportunities for health promotion intervention would abound.
Methods: Retrospective medical record review of 99 patients presenting to a safety-net academic medical center with AWS between August 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.
Results: Thiamine replacement (70%), tobacco cessation counseling (28%), influenza or pneumonia vaccination (25% and 28% respectively), psychiatric counseling (70%), referral to alcohol support group or treatment center(40%), and screening for viral hepatitis and HIV (39% and 44%, respectively) were documented by healthcare providers at lower than optimal frequency.
Conclusions: Provision of health promotion interventions was not consistent with evidence-based practices. Integration of these measures into AWS protocols and guidelines could help clinicians provide consistent, cost-effective, evidence- based care.