Background: Despite evidence that the use of medications for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) leads to reduced mortality and improved engagement in outpatient addiction treatment, these life-saving medications are underutilized in the hospital setting. This study reports the outcomes of a hospitalist-led interprofessional and multidisciplinary inpatient program, known as the B-Team (buprenorphine team), to [...]

Background: The US faces a worsening epidemic of substance use-associated morbidity and mortality. In 2021, over 46 million people had a substance use disorder (SUD) and over 109,000 overdose deaths occurred. Furthermore, an estimated 1 in 7 hospital admissions are for patients with SUDs. Stigma is pervasive among these patients’ hospital providers, and SUD management [...]

Background: Over the last few years, the USA has seen a sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) and related acute illnesses. The clinical course of many hospitalized patients is impacted by their diagnosis of SUD. At our institution, we put in place an inpatient addiction service where a physician [...]

Background: Biases related to people with substance use disorder (SUD) actually increase during time spent in formal medical education, and continue into practice. Leading health professional education groups across medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work, including the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), have recognized addressing substance use disorders including stigma and bias as a [...]

Background: There were 527,000 hospitalizations due to opioid use in 2012, which equates to more than $15 billion in medical care costs (Ronan & Herzig, 2016). Providers report significant barriers in treating patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), including feelings of unpreparedness to treat addiction (Calcaterra et al., 2021). Advance practice provider (APP) education lacks [...]

Background: Addiction medicine services are a critical component of care for patients suffering from opioid use disorder. Previous research has indicated that opioid use disorder patients have higher lengths of stay (LOS) and higher hospital readmission rates than patients admitted for a different medical condition. Even though the presence of a specialized team of addiction [...]

Case Presentation: A 44-year-old female with severe opioid use disorder (OUD) was admitted after a benzodiazepine withdrawal seizure. Her history was significant for methadone 165 mg daily dosing, anxiety managed with daily unprescribed benzodiazepines, and alcohol use disorder in remission. She had a prolonged QT interval, with a notable episode 18 months prior, when she [...]

Background: Despite evidence that the use of medications for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) leads to reduced mortality and improved engagement in outpatient addiction treatment, these life-saving medications are underutilized in the hospital setting. This study reports the outcomes of a hospitalist-led interprofessional and multidisciplinary inpatient program, known as the B-Team (buprenorphine team), to [...]