An Integrated Hospital Protocol for Persons With Injection-Related Infections May Increase Medications for Opioid Use...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) presents significant infectious complications.
• Hospital-based interventions linking patients to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) are crucial.
• Identifying barriers to MOUD initiation and adherence is essential for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a hospital-based protocol in increasing MOUD utilization for patients with infectious complications of OUD.
• To identify barriers encountered during hospital admission and at discharge that hinder MOUD uptake.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital (2015-2018).
• The Intravenous Antibiotic and Addiction Team (IVAT) protocol involved Addiction Medicine and Infectious Diseases consultations and risk assessment.
• MOUD use was compared pre- and post-IVAT implementation, with logistic regression analyzing factors associated with MOUD receipt and chart review exploring barriers.

Main Results:

• The IVAT protocol significantly increased the percentage of OUD patients receiving MOUD (29% pre-IVAT to 37% post-IVAT; P=.026).
• High-risk participants demonstrated higher MOUD use (62%).
• No significant association was found between clinical or sociodemographic factors and MOUD receipt.

Conclusions:

• A hospital-based protocol can enhance MOUD utilization for patients with infectious complications of OUD.
• Despite improvements, MOUD uptake remains suboptimal, indicating a need to address persistent barriers.
• Further strategies are required to optimize MOUD access and adherence in hospital settings.