Feasibility and Acceptability of Restroom Motion Sensors for Detecting Overdoses

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Harm Reduction
• Technology in Healthcare

Background:

• Unwitnessed drug overdoses are a major public health crisis in the US.
• Community-based overdose detection and response interventions are urgently needed.
• Overdose detection technologies (ODTs), such as restroom sensors, are underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives of frontline harm reduction workers, clinicians, housing shelter staff, and clients on the feasibility and acceptability of restroom sensors.
• To understand potential benefits and challenges of implementing ODTs in community settings.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 8 focus groups with 40 participants, including staff and clients from harm reduction, housing, and clinical settings.
• Discussed experiences with overdose response and current policies.
• Assessed feasibility and acceptability of restroom sensors using verbal/visual descriptions and educational videos.

Main Results:

• Participants expressed high acceptability for restroom sensors in various community settings (drop-in centers, housing programs, public restrooms).
• Perceived benefits include saving lives, automated detection, and reduced staff stress/trauma.
• Concerns include data confidentiality, legal repercussions, mistrust of technology, and staff fatigue.

Conclusions:

• ODTs, specifically restroom sensors, are highly acceptable to both staff and clients in community-based settings.
• Successful implementation hinges on addressing programmatic and policy considerations, including privacy, legal frameworks, and building trust.