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Clinical protocols for patients with substance use disorder in a hospital or emergency department setting.
Treat Pain
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Emergency Department Pain Management for Patients with OUD
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Inpatient Pain Management and OUD
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Treat Withdrawal
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Opioid Withdrawal in Pregnancy in Acute Care Settings
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Opioid Withdrawal in Acute Care Settings
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Inpatient Care of OUD with Buprenorphine Uptitration
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Adjunct Medications for Opioid Withdrawal
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EMS administered buprenorphine
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Treat Toxicity
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Clinical implications of the drug supply
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Treat Substance Use Disorder
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Emergency Department Buprenorphine Initiation
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Emergency Department Methadone Initiation
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Emergency Department Adolescent Buprenorphine Initiation (Ages 13+)
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Emergency Department Care of OUD in Pregnancy
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Emergency Department Methadone Initiation in Pregnancy
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Initiation of Long Acting Injectable Buprenorphine in Acute Care Settings
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Inpatient Care of OUD with Buprenorphine Uptitration
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Buprenorphine Home Initiation
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EMS administered buprenorphine
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+/- Calculate COWS
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale -
UW Psychiatry Consultation Line | PCL
1-877-927-7924
Healthcare providers in Washington can call for free clinical advice from UW psychiatrists regarding adult patients with mental health or substance use conditions.
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These protocols were developed by practicing providers, clinicians and staff in collaboration with the University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI). They are intended to support organizations and clinicians providing care for patients with SUD they are not meant to be directive, comprehensive, or a substitute for independent clinical judgement.
Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale
Rate on just the apparent relationship to opiate withdrawal. For example, if heart rate is increased because the patient was jogging just prior to assessment, the increase pulse rate would not add to the score.
Resting pulse rate
Measured after patient is sitting or lying for one minute.
- Pulse rate 80 or below 0
- Pulse rate 81-100 1
- Pulse rate 101-120 2
- Pulse rate greater than 120 4
GI upset
Over last 30 minutes
- No GI symptoms 0
- Stomach cramps 1
- Vomiting or diarrhea 3
- Multiple episodes of diarrhea or vomiting 5
Sweating
Over past 30 minutes not accounted for by room temperature or patient activity
- No report of chills or flushing 0
- Subjective report of chills or flushing 1
- Flushed or observable moistness on face 2
- Beads of sweat on brow or face 3
- Sweat streaming off face 4
Tremor
Observation of outstretched hands
- No tremor 0
- Tremor can be felt, but not observed 1
- Slight tremor observable 2
- Gross tremor or muscle twitching 4
Restlessness
Observation during assessment
- Able to sit still 0
- Reports difficulty sitting still, but is able to do so 1
- Frequent shifting or extraneous movements of legs/arms 3
- Unable to sit still for more than a few seconds 5
Yawning
Observation during assessment
- No yawning 0
- Yawning once or twice during assessment 1
- Yawning three or more times during assessment 2
- Yawning several times/minute 4
Pupil size
Observation during assessment
- Pupils pinned or normal size for room light 0
- Pupils possibly larger than normal for room light 1
- Pupils moderately dilated 2
- Pupils so dilated that only the rim of the iris is visible 5
Anxiety or irritability
- None 0
- Patient reports increasing irritability or anxiousness 1
- Patient obviously irritable or anxious 2
- Patient so irritable or anxious that participation in the assessment is difficult 4
Bone or joint aches
If patient was having pain previously, only the additional component attributed to opiates withdrawal is scored
- Not present 0
- Mild diffuse discomfort 1
- Patient reports severe diffuse aching of joints/muscles 2
- Patient is rubbing joints or muscles and is unable to sit still because of discomfort 4
Runny nose or tearing
Not accounted for by cold symptoms or allergies
- Not present 0
- Nasal stuffiness or unusually moist eyes 1
- Nose running or tearing 2
- Nose constantly running or tears streaming down cheeks 4
Gooseflesh skin
- Skin is smooth 0
- Piloerrection of skin can be felt or hairs standing up on arms 3
- Prominent piloerrection 5
