Abstract
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a major health concern for newly incarcerated individuals. A ‘One size fits All’ mentality for withdrawal assessment does not work for all patients. The CIWA-Ar Assessment Frequency protocol allows for nurses to determine assessment frequencies that are patient-specific. Adequate assessment by highly trained staff, performed at patient-specific frequencies ensures early identification of the decompensating patient and results in timely intervention, less transfers to a higher level of care, and a reduction in cost to correctional and affiliated healthcare organizations.