UAB Launches Program to Improve Treatment of Opioid Overdose

Mary Scott Hodgin | April 5, 2019

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UAB’s Emergency Department (ED) is starting a new program to better treat patients with opioid use disorder. The initiative, funded with $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focuses on increasing the use of Medication Assisted Treatment Protocol (MAT). This treatment relies on a drug called Suboxone, which reduces withdrawal symptoms for patients recovering from an opioid overdose.

Dr. Erik Hess, vice chair for research in UAB’s Emergency Department, says Suboxone is a very effective treatment for opioid use disorder. But the drug is not used as often as it could be.

“The government has actually made it a requirement for eight hours of training for any provider who wants to provide a subscription for it (Suboxone),” Hess says, “which has set up a pretty substantial barrier for most providers.”

Hess says up until recently, only three ED doctors at UAB had completed this training. The goal now is to certify at least 75% of the department’s physicians to administer Suboxone.

Another focus of the program is to better connect patients with resources once they leave the ED. This involves a partnership with a local referral hub called the Recovery Resource Center at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services.

The Recovery Resource Center will send peer navigators, people who themselves are in long-term recovery, to meet with patients at the emergency department. Navigators will help patients transition out of the ED and find long-term treatment options.

UAB’s new program is funded for three years. During that time, officials expect to enroll more than 500 patients. They hope to see a 30% decrease in the number of deaths due to opioid overdose in Jefferson County. According to the Jefferson County Department of Health, 161 people died from an opioid overdose in 2018.

Source: Jefferson County Department of Health
In 2018, 161 people died from an opioid overdose in Jefferson County. This is a slight decrease from 2017.