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🍷 BAWS (Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale)

UseWhen to use: bedside alcohol withdrawal monitoring when CIWA-Ar is too long.

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StrataCommonly <3 observe; ≥3 treat; higher scores escalate.

LimitsWhen not to use: sedative overdose without withdrawal context. · Pitfall: missing other delirium causes. · Not a sole benzo milligram calculator.

SourceBrief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS)

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

Five items.

When to use

When to use: bedside alcohol withdrawal monitoring when CIWA-Ar is too long.

How it works

Tremor + sweats + agitation + orientation + hallucinations (each 0–3).

Key points

  • Five items.
  • Max 15.
  • Next: symptom-triggered therapy.

References

  • Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (BAWS)

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

TremorNot visible (+1)
DiaphoresisMild (+1)
AgitationRestless (+1)
OrientationTime or place (+1)
HallucinationsMild (+1)

→BAWS5/15

  • Cue:3–5 — treat / escalate per local BAWS pathway
TremorNone (0)
DiaphoresisNone (0)
AgitationCalm (0)
OrientationOriented (0)
HallucinationsNone (0)

→BAWS0/15

  • Cue:<3 — mild / observe per protocol
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does BAWS (Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is BAWS (Brief Alcohol Withdrawal Scale) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Tremor Not visible (+1), Diaphoresis Mild (+1), Agitation Restless (+1), Orientation Time or place (+1), Hallucinations Mild (+1) → Result: BAWS 5 /15(Cue: 3–5 — treat / escalate per local BAWS pathway) Inputs: Tremor None (0), Diaphoresis None (0), Agitation Calm (0), Orientation Oriented (0), Hallucinations None (0) → Result: BAWS 0 /15(Cue: <3 — mild / observe per protocol)
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