Reducing Emergency Department Visits and Opioid-Related Deaths in Maryland

The state of Maryland has consistently ranked among the top states by opioid-involved overdose deaths. Emergency rooms in Maryland have been overrun with patients struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). While hospitals are heavily burdened, it has become clear that they serve as a critical entry point for OUD prevention programs. Despite this, when section 19-310 of the Maryland Heroin and Opioid Prevention Effort (HOPE) and Treatment Act of 2017 passed, it included vague language requiring hospitals to create their own discharge protocols for such patients rather than putting into place statewide mandates. We propose two alternative solutions. First, the Maryland General Assembly can amend the HOPE and Treatment Act of 2017 to mandate that peer recovery services be made available during inpatient care, within the emergency department, and post-discharge for patients presenting with OUD. Second, we recommend the addition of a subtitle to describe how to establish and operate mobile clinic treatment programs. The former amendment would offer a prompt solution that could reduce opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths in the state. It will also help reach underrepresented populations who are the least likely to access peer recovery support and other health services in response to OUD.

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Emergency-Department Initiated Buprenorphine: Impact on Quality of Life Factors

10.21203/rs.3.rs-855999/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Caleb Carroll ◽

Delissa Hand ◽

Whitney Covington ◽

Joel Rodgers ◽

Lauren A. Walter

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Treatment Programs ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Employment Rates ◽

The Government ◽

Retention In Treatment

Abstract Background: Emergency department (ED)-initiated medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) have emerged as an effective strategy against the opioid epidemic. Opioid use disorder (OUD) patients engaged in ED-initiated MOUD programs have higher retention in treatment programs and improved outcomes with regard to overdose rates and mortality. It is unclear however, how engagement in ED-initiated MOUD programs might affect quality of life (QoL). We sought to describe demographic characteristics and QoL factors reported by patients engaged in ED-initiated MOUD and referral services. Methods: An ED MOUD-initiation program was launched in July 2019, with subsequent referral to definitive services. Enrolled patients were interviewed at intake, 3-months, and 6-months to ascertain QoL indices via the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s Exact were utilized to assess the data. Results: Through 12/2020, 89 participants were enrolled. The majority were white (85.4%), male (61.8%), and between the ages of 25-44 (75.3%). To-date, 31 participants (43.7% eligible) have completed 3-month follow-up and 28 (45.2% eligible) have competed 6-month follow-up. With regards to assessed QoL factors, over half demonstrated significant improvement, including 5 of 7 psychosocial factors, to include satisfaction with personal relationships, QoL self-rating, satisfaction with personal health, energy for everyday life, and satisfaction with self (p <.05). Financial needs met was the only objective QoL factor to demonstrate significant improvement during the follow-up time period. While not significant, homelessness also decreased, specifically 14 (15.7%) identified as homeless at intake as compared to one (3.7%) at 6-month follow-up. Additional trends toward decreased violence exposure and increased employment rates were also noted.Conclusions: In addition to decreasing illicit opioid drug use, maintenance of ED-initiated MOUD may positively impact broad QoL measures.

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