The alcohol detoxification protocol and creation of the e-consult at Central Texas Veterans health care system.

Within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, the alcohol-related disorder readmission rate has been recognized as an area that needs improvement. The aim of this quality improvement initiative was to develop an alcohol detoxification protocol. This protocol assesses the need for inpatient vs outpatient management of alcohol withdrawal and provides guidance pertaining to medication options, with emphasis on prescribing gabapentin for treatment of alcohol withdrawal. The protocol also contains the alcohol detox e-consult, which prompts a physician to call the patient daily to assess alcohol withdrawal, ability to abstain from alcohol, medication compliance, interest in substance abuse treatment programs, and appropriate follow-up. After implementing the protocol and e-consult, we saw a reduction in the admission rate of alcohol-related disorders and patients found the consult helpful.