WHAT IS CIWA PROTOCOL AND WHAT IS COW PROTOCOL?.

All CIWA PROTOCOL is use to diagnose and assessment of Alcohol withdrawal. But COW PROTOCOL is use to diagnose and assessment of drug withdrawal.

CIWA PROTOCOL =ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL.

COW PROTOCOL = DRUG WITHDRAWAL.

CIWA-AR is known as Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol Revised.The Alcohol Revised is to maintain and stay current. CIWA PROTOCOL is the “GOLD STANDARD TOOLS “for years. It is commonly use for assessment and treatment of the severity of alcohol withdrawal.

Scale of 8 to 10 minimal withdrawal symptoms, 8 to 15 moderate withdrawal symptoms,15 or greater severe withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are:

Headaches.

Chills .

Tremors.

Anxiety.

Agitation.

Upset stomach.

Seizures.

The Delerium Tremor is the worst.

The most important thing about safe detoxification withdrawal is minimization of suffering, prevent sickness and prevent death.

The CIWA Protocol Assessment will allow the health care provider to medicate patients but not to over medicate.

The CIWA MEASUREMENT SCALES are:

1.Level of orientation.

2.Vital signs such as Pulse and Blood pressure. 3.Nausea/Vomiting which includes frequency and Severity.

4.Tactical disturbance which ranges from feeling of “pins and needles” sensation, itching to severe or continuous hallucinating.

5.Tremor Severity if applicable.

6. Severe Sweating.

7.Visual and auditory disturbance.

8.Anxiety and agitation which may be noted from mild to serious panick attack mode.

CIWA PROTOCOL can also be used even if patient is not admitted for alcohol withdrawal. CIWA assessment tools are used by doctors and nurses.

It is use in Emergency room.

Alcohol treatment programs.

Mental health programs.

General hospitals programs.

Scientific research to promote understanding of withdrawal.

Mayo Clinic Protocol Driven Treatment of Alcohol withdrawal in General Hospital: when Theory meet Practice March 2008.

Reference:

https://www.mayoclinicproceeding.org.

John Hopkins University:https://jhuson@jhu.edu. https://jhu.pure.elseviev.co>development. Development and Implementation of an alcohol withdrawal protocol using a 5- item scale ,the Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale(BAWS)