Increasing Engagement in Post-Withdrawal Management Services Through a Practice Bundle and Checklist

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) often do not receive continuing care after withdrawal management.
• Low rates of continuing care (21-35%) are linked to higher risks of relapse, incarceration, and overdose deaths.
• Effective strategies to improve the transition from withdrawal management to continuing care are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the LINK Care Transition Implementation System in improving transition rates from withdrawal management to continuing care.
• To address the gap in evidence regarding interventions that enhance SUD continuing care engagement.

Main Methods:

• Withdrawal management centers (n=6) in Wisconsin implemented the LINK Care Transition Implementation System.
• This system integrated three evidence-based implementation science approaches: a practice bundle, a process checklist, and a standardized organizational change model.

Main Results:

• The intervention significantly increased the rate of transition from withdrawal management to continuing care.
• Transition rates improved from a baseline average of 20% to 43% post-intervention.
• The findings demonstrate the successful application of implementation science to improve SUD care transitions.

Conclusions:

• The LINK Care Transition Implementation System is an effective strategy for improving the crucial transition from withdrawal management to continuing care for individuals with SUDs.
• Implementing evidence-based systems can enhance patient outcomes and reduce risks associated with untreated SUDs.
• This study offers valuable insights for optimizing SUD treatment pathways and public health interventions.