Nelson AC, et al. – In this study, researchers described the effectiveness and safety of their institutional protocols during three time periods utilizing benzodiazepines and barbiturates for the acute treatment of alcohol withdrawal in the emergency department. Study participants included 300 adult patients who presented to the emergency department for acute alcohol withdrawal and received ≥ 1 dose of treatment from April 1, 2016, to January 31, 2018. Overall, the investigators concluded that, for alcohol withdrawal, phenobarbital is a safe and effective treatment alternative during benzodiazepine shortages. Phenobarbital incorporation into a benzodiazepine-based protocol or as sole agent resulted in similar rates of intensive care unit admission, length of stay, and need for mechanical ventilation in this study population.