Lead: Facilitators of and barriers to buprenorphine initiation in the emergency department: a scoping review
Episode description
The Lancet Regional Health Americas
In the context of the opioid overdose epidemic, great efforts have been made to increase access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), specifically buprenorphine. Initiation of buprenorphine in emergency departments (ED) has been a focus of these efforts. While initiation has been increasing, only 3-15% of persons treated in EDs fill a prescription. In this summary literature review, authors examined potential barriers and facilitators to initiation. Having care-coordination with streamlined and easy connection to outpatient treatment was associated with increased initiation. Conversely, the absence of care-coordination was associated with decreased uptake. Additionally, provider training and comfort increased uptake as did flexibility in induction strategies.
Read this issue of the ASAM Weekly