Utilization of a Drug Use Screening Assessment: A Quantitative Study to Reduce Benzodiazepines in Inpatient Detoxification

Authors

Malerie Lazar Bolinsky, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Mary Johnson, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Sarah DevaultFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

5-18-2022

Abstract

The use of benzodiazepines in the inpatient psychiatric setting is common for patients undergoing drug and alcohol detoxification but does not come without risks. Too high of a dose of benzodiazepines are often administered during detoxification when patients are not adequately assessed on admission. Current literature supports utilization of a screening tool for drug use can reduce unnecessary benzodiazepine use. This study implemented the Drug Use Screening Tool in a drug and alcohol detoxification unit of inpatient psychiatric hospital to evaluate severity of drug use on admission and established a statistically significant reduction in the use of as-needed benzodiazepines prescribe.

Recommended Citation

Bolinsky, Malerie Lazar; Johnson, Mary; and Devault, Sarah, "Utilization of a Drug Use Screening Assessment: A Quantitative Study to Reduce Benzodiazepines in Inpatient Detoxification" (2022). Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
https://trace.tennessee.edu/dnp/34