Patients undergoing major surgery with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) face worse outcomes and higher costs.

• AWS affected 0.5% of 3 million surgical patients, increasing complications by 37% and respiratory failure risk by 144%.
• Length of stay was significantly longer at 11 days versus 6 days, with hospitalization costs surging by $10,030 per patient.

AWS screening is critical for improving surgical outcomes and managing costs.

• Delirium tremens further raised mortality risks and added over 5 days to the hospital stay.