“Should We Phenobarb-it-All?” A Phenobarbital-Based Protocol for Non-Intensive Care Unit Trauma Patients at High Risk of or Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol use is frequent in trauma patients and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is associated with significant morbidity. Benzodiazepines are commonly used for AWS, but may cause neurologic and respiratory adverse events (AEs). The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a phenobarbital-based protocol for the treatment of AWS in non-intensive care unit (ICU) trauma patients.