APP Week 2026: Collaborative APP-Led Direct Admission Pathway to Expand Inpatient Withdrawal Management Access

September 25, 2026

This educational activity describes an APP led, interdisciplinary initiative to improve access to inpatient withdrawal management for patients at risk of severe alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. The activity focuses on development and implementation of a direct admission pathway from an outpatient recovery program to a hospital-based withdrawal management unit, bypassing the emergency department to reduce delays in care, improve patient engagement, and optimize clinical workflows.

Target Audience

Nurse

Nurse Practitioner

Physician Assistant

Learning Objectives

At the end of the session the learner will be able to:

1. Identify barriers to hospital-based treatment for patients with severe alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.

2. Describe the leadership role of an APP in developing and implementing the direct admission process.

3. Integrate practical applications from this pathway to optimize workflows in your own medical setting.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 0.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 0.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
Course opens: 
09/25/2026
Course expires: 
10/09/2026
Event starts: 
09/25/2026 - 12:00pm EDT
Event ends: 
09/25/2026 - 12:30pm EDT
Add to calendar: 
UPMC:Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
United States

Kala Klug and Ian Cummins

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 0.5 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)

The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 0.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. 

Available Credit

  • 0.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 0.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
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