Background: Hospitalizations related to opioid use disorder (OUD) are rising, creating opportunities to initiate medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and connect patients with outpatient resources.1,2 Despite evidence that MOUD reduces morbidity and mortality, most patients fail to receive evidence-based treatment during hospitalization.3-6 Addiction consultation services are becoming the standard of care to address this [...]

Background: Despite a public health crisis – over 500,000 individuals have died from opioid overdoses since 2000 – and the availability of effective therapies, most patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) are not offered treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), such as with buprenorphine, is associated with significantly higher rates of abstinence and follow-up, lower rates of [...]

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: Despite a public health crisis – over 500,000 individuals have died from opioid overdoses since 2000 – and the availability of effective therapies, most patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) are not offered treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), such as with buprenorphine, is associated with significantly higher rates of abstinence and follow-up, lower rates of [...]

Background: The American opioid epidemic is a public health emergency, with over 100,000 opioid-related overdose deaths occurring in 2021 (1). Harm reduction treatment models, formulated with the goal of reducing the negative consequences of opioid use, have been implemented as an alternative approach in minimizing opioid overdose and mortality (2). With approximately 4-11% of hospitalized [...]

Background: Hospitalizations for opioid overdose and complications of opioid use disorder (OUD) have risen dramatically over the last two decades. Hospitalizations represent opportunities to initiate lifesaving medications for OUD (MOUD), but rates of hospital MOUD initiation are low. Addiction consult services (ACS) can help facilitate hospital MOUD initiation and promote linkage to post-discharge MOUD, but [...]

Background: The US has a heavy burden of deaths from opioid overdoses, and New Mexico is not excepted from this. Treatment options for opioid use disorder (OUD) are buprenorphine/naloxone (“Suboxone”), methadone, naltrexone, counseling, and/or behavioral therapy. Long-acting oral opioids like Suboxone, are the most effective methods for treating opioid withdrawal and OUD. They are often [...]

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing health crisis in the United States (US). Buprenorphine treatment for OUD has been found to improve outcomes and reduce mortality, although disparities in access to treatment and outcomes for OUD exist. Previous studies have shown that those retained in treatment for longer durations are more likely to [...]

Background: Persons with opioid use disorders (OUD) represent a disproportionately high percentage of hospitalized patients, have greater lengths of stay and readmissions, can incur higher costs, and are at greater risk of drug-related death immediately post-discharge. Further, despite the availability of effective medications for OUD, patients often are not offered treatment during the inpatient encounter. [...]

Background: As of 2020, a reported 2.7 million people in the United States have opioid use disorder (OUD). Hospitalizations related to opioid use have risen dramatically over the last two decades. Inpatients with substance use disorders are at increased risk of leaving the hospital prior to treatment completion which can further lead to poor health [...]