Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a common inpatient diagnosis managed primarily with benzodiazepines. Concerns about the adverse effects associated with benzodiazepines have spurred interest in using benzodiazepine-sparing treatments.

Question: Was implementation of a benzodiazepine-sparing order set associated with changes in medication use and outcomes for patients hospitalized with alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Findings: In this quality improvement study of 22 899 hospitalizations among 16 323 adults diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, order set implementation was associated with relative decreases in benzodiazepine exposure, intensive care unit use, and length of stay.

Meaning: The findings of this study suggest that quality improvement initiatives to decrease benzodiazepine use among patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome may be associated with decreased use of benzodiazepines and positive patient health outcomes.