COWS assessment
Also written as: COWS — Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale
Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, a standardized tool for evaluating opioid withdrawal symptoms and determining treatment needs.
Full Definition
COWS assessment is an 11-item clinician-administered scale that objectively measures opioid withdrawal severity across multiple symptom domains including pulse rate, sweating, restlessness, and dilated pupils. Scores range from 0-48, with higher scores indicating more severe withdrawal requiring medical intervention. This assessment is crucial for determining appropriate medication-assisted treatment protocols and monitoring patient safety during opioid detoxification in psychiatric and addiction treatment settings.
Usage
Usage note: COWS is always capitalized; commonly confused with CIWA protocol which is for alcohol withdrawal.
In Context
- "The COWS assessment revealed a score of 28, warranting immediate medical intervention for opioid withdrawal." — Clinical assessment report
- "Nursing staff completed COWS assessments every six hours throughout the detoxification process." — Treatment protocol documentation