Social workers roles in achieving health quality metrics in primary care: a quality improvement case study.

Value-based payment models may improve patient health by targeting quality of care over quantity of health services. Social workers in primary care settings are well-positioned to improve the quality of health services for vulnerable patients by identifying and addressing patients' social determinants of health. This case study describes a Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) quality improvement approach implemented and refined by social workers to proactively address clinical quality gaps in one family medicine practice. The studied program - entitled Gap Closure Day - was led by a team of social workers to improve quality outcomes of patients. Findings highlight the important roles of social workers as members of health care teams to improve the quality of health services and address health equity.

The role of social work in the opioid epidemic: office-based opioid treatment programs.

The opioid epidemic is a national emergency in the United States. To meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) office-based opioid treatment programs (OBOT) are quickly expanding. However, social workers roles in OBOT programs are not clearly described. This paper will emphasize three roles social workers may fulfill in OBOT programs to combat the opioid crisis.

Smoking Policies of Outpatient and Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the United States.

Tobacco use is associated with morbidity and mortality. Many individuals who present to treatment facilities with substance use disorders (SUDs) other than tobacco use disorder also smoke cigarettes or have a concomitant tobacco use disorder. Despite high rates of smoking among those with an SUD, and numerous demonstrated benefits of comprehensive SUD treatment for tobacco use in addition to co-occurring SUDs, not all facilities address the treatment of comorbid tobacco use disorder. In addition, facilities vary widely in terms of tobacco use policies on campus. This study examined SUD facility smoking policies in a national sample of N = 16,623 SUD treatment providers in the United States in 2021. Most facilities with outpatient treatment (52.1%) and facilities with residential treatment (67.8%) had a smoking policy that permitted smoking in designated outdoor area(s). A multinomial logistic regression model found that among facilities with outpatient treatment (n = 13,778), those located in a state with laws requiring tobacco free grounds at SUD facilities, those with tobacco screening/education/counseling services, and those with nicotine pharmacotherapy were less likely to have an unrestrictive tobacco smoking policy. Among facilities with residential treatment (n = 3449), those with tobacco screening/education/counseling services were less likely to have an unrestrictive tobacco smoking policy. There is variability in smoking policies and tobacco use treatment options in SUD treatment facilities across the United States. Since tobacco use is associated with negative biomedical outcomes, more should be done to ensure that SUD treatment also focuses on reducing the harms of tobacco use.

A Systematic Approach to Opioid Prescribing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Opioid misuse has become a national crisis. In response to the need for improved standards of opioid prescribing within medical practices, a university-based academic family medicine practice developed, implemented, and evaluated a series of initiatives to ensure appropriate opioid prescribing and support clinicians in the practice in providing optimal care. METHODS: In 2015-2018, the University of North Carolina Family Medicine Center developed and implemented a practice-wide opioid prescribing policy, created a controlled medication advisory board (CMAB), provided regular feedback to clinicians on opioid prescribing, and trained selected providers in management of opioid use disorder. The impact of these opioid stewardship initiatives on prescribing patterns, utilization of the CMAB, and provision of medications for opioid use disorder was evaluated using electronic health record data from 2015 to 2018 and chart audits. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2018 the opioid prescribing rate per 100 patient visits decreased by 31% and the rate of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids decreased by 56%. The CMAB received 117 referrals between 2015 and 2018, 60% of which resulted in recommended revision in the treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS: Safe opioid prescribing is essential to mitigate the opioid crisis. An evidence-based standardized protocol, coupled with support for providers and patients, can reduce prescribing and improve patient safety, thereby enhancing the comprehensiveness and quality of patient care.

Embedding care management in the medical home: a case study.

INTRODUCTION: Care managers are playing increasingly significant roles in the redesign of primary care and in the evolution of patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), yet their adoption within day-to-day practice remains uneven and approaches for implementation have been minimally reported. We introduce a strategy for incorporating care management into the operations of a PCMH and assess the preliminary effectiveness of this approach. METHODS: A case study of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Family Medicine Center used an organizational model of innovation implementation to guide the parameters of implementation and evaluation. Two sources were used to determine the effectiveness of the implementation strategy: data elements from the care management informatics system in the health record and electronic survey data from the Family Medicine Center providers and care staff. RESULTS: A majority of physicians (75%) and support staff (82%) reported interactions with the care manager, primarily via face-to-face, telephone, or electronic means, primarily for facilitating referrals for behavioral health services and assistance with financial and social and community-based resources. Trend line suggests an absolute decrease of 8 emergency department visits per month for recipients of care management services and an absolute decrease of 7.5 inpatient admissions per month during the initial 2-year implementation period. DISCUSSION: An organizational model of innovation implementation is a potentially effective approach to guide the process of incorporating care management services into the structure and workflows of PCMHs.