Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Acceptability, feasibility, and outcomes of a clinical pilot program for video observation of methadone take-home dosing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hallgren, Kevin A; Darnton, James; Soth, Sean; Blalock, Kendra L; Michaels, Alyssa; Grekin, Paul; Saxon, Andrew J; Woolworth, Steve; Tsui, Judith I.
  • Hallgren KA; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, United States. Electronic address: khallgre@uw.edu.
  • Darnton J; University of Washington, Division of General Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle, WA 98134, United States.
  • Soth S; Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle, WA 98134, United States.
  • Blalock KL; University of Washington, Division of General Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
  • Michaels A; University of Washington, Division of General Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
  • Grekin P; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle, WA 98134, United States.
  • Saxon AJ; University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seattle, WA 98195, United States; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, United States.
  • Woolworth S; Evergreen Treatment Services, Seattle, WA 98134, United States.
  • Tsui JI; University of Washington, Division of General Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
J Subst Abuse Treat ; 143: 108896, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2105480
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Methadone is one of the most utilized treatments for opioid use disorder. However, requirements for observing methadone dosing can impose barriers to patients and increase risk for respiratory illness transmission (e.g., COVID-19). Video observation of methadone dosing at home could allow opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to offer more take-home doses while ensuring patient safety through remote observation of ingestion.

METHODS:

Between April and August 2020, a clinical pilot program of video observation of methadone take-home dosing via smartphone was conducted within a multisite OTP agency. Participating patients completed a COVID-19 symptom screener and submitted video recordings of themselves ingesting all methadone take-home doses. Patients who followed these procedures for a two-week trial period could continue participating in the full pilot program and potentially receive more take-home doses. This retrospective observational study characterizes patient engagement and compares clinical outcomes with matched controls.

RESULTS:

Of 44 patients who initiated the two-week trial, 33 (75 %) were successful and continued participating in the full pilot program. Twenty full pilot participants (61 %) received increased take-home doses. Full pilot participants had more days with observed dosing over a 60-day period than matched controls (mean = 53.2 vs. 16.6 days, respectively). Clinical outcomes were similar between pilot participants and matched controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

Video observation of methadone take-home dosing implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible. This model has the potential to enhance safety by increasing rates of observed methadone dosing and reducing infection risks and barriers associated with relying solely on face-to-face observation of methadone dosing.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Opioid-Related Disorders Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Journal subject: Substance-Related Disorders Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Opioid-Related Disorders Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Journal subject: Substance-Related Disorders Year: 2022 Document Type: Article