Implementing harm reduction kits in an office-based addiction treatment program.
Harm Reduct J
; 20(1): 163, 2023 11 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37919741
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The rising rates of drug use-related complications call for a paradigm shift in the care for people who use drugs. While addiction treatment and harm reduction have historically been siloed in the US, co-location of these services in office-based addiction treatment (OBAT) settings offers a more realistic and patient-centered approach. We describe a quality improvement program on integrating harm reduction kits into an urban OBAT clinic.METHODS:
After engaging appropriate stakeholders and delivering clinician and staff trainings on safer use best practices, we developed a clinical workflow for universal offering and distribution of pre-packaged kits coupled with patient-facing educational handouts. We assessed (1) kit uptake with kit number and types distributed; and (2) implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and patient perceptions.RESULTS:
One-month post-implementation, 28% (40/141) of completed in-person visits had at least one kit request, and a total of 121 kits were distributed. Staff and clinicians found the program to be highly feasible, acceptable, and appropriate, and patient perceptions were positive.CONCLUSIONS:
Incorporating kits in OBAT settings is an important step toward increasing patient access and utilization of life-saving services. Our program uncovered a significant unmet need among our patients, suggesting that kit integration within addiction treatment can improve the standard of care for people who use drugs.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias
/
Reducción del Daño
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Harm Reduct J
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos