Warren J Ferguson1, Joan Johnston2, Jennifer G Clarke3, Peter J Koutoujian4, Kathleen Maurer5, Colleen Gallagher6, Julie White7, Dyana Nickl8, Faye S Taxman9. 1. Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. warren.ferguson@umassmemorial.org. 2. St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, 01608, USA. 3. Rhode Island Department of Corrections, 40 Howard Ave, Cranston, RI, 02920, USA. 4. Sheriff, Middlesex County, 400 Mystic Ave, 4th Fl., Medford, MA, 02155, USA. 5. Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield, CT, 06109, USA. 6. Health and Addiction Services, Connecticut Department of Correction, 24 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT, 06109, USA. 7. University Correctional health Care, Bates Bldg, 2nd Fl, New Jersey Department of Corrections, Trenton, NJ, 08625-0863, USA. 8. Health and Criminal Justice Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA, 01545, USA. 9. Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, 4087 University Drive, 4100, MSN6D3, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is among the most prevalent medical condition experienced by incarcerated persons, yet medication assisted therapy (MAT) is uncommon. Four jail and prison systems partnered with researchers to document their adoption of MAT for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD) using their established treatment protocols. Employing the EPIS (Exploration, Planning, Implementation, and Sustainment) framework, programs report on systematic efforts to expand screening, treatment and provide linkage to community-based care upon release. RESULTS: All four systems were engaged with implementation of MAT at the outset of the study. Thus, findings focus more on uptake and penetration as part of implementation and sustainment of medication treatment. The prevalence of OUD during any given month ranged from 28 to 65% of the population in the participating facilities. All programs developed consistent approaches to screen individuals at intake and provided care coordination with community treatment providers at the time of release. The proportion of individuals with OUD who received MAT ranged considerably from 9 to 61%. Despite efforts at all four sites to increase utilization of MAT, only one site achieved sustained growth in the proportion of individuals treated over the course of the project. Government leadership, dedicated funding and collaboration with community treatment providers were deemed essential to adoption of MAT during implementation phases. Facilitators for MAT included increases in staffing and staff training; group education on medication assisted therapies; use of data to drive change processes; coordination with other elements of the criminal justice system to expand care; and ongoing contact with individuals post-release to encourage continued treatment. Barriers included lack of funding and space and institutional design; challenges in changing the cultural perception of all approved treatments; excluding or discontinuing treatment based on patient factors, movement or transfer of individuals; and inability to sustain care coordination at the time of release. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of evidence-based medication assisted therapies for OUD in prisons and jails can be accomplished but requires persistent effort to identify and overcome challenges and dedicated funding to sustain programs.
BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is among the most prevalent medical condition experienced by incarcerated persons, yet medication assisted therapy (MAT) is uncommon. Four jail and prison systems partnered with researchers to document their adoption of MAT for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD) using their established treatment protocols. Employing the EPIS (Exploration, Planning, Implementation, and Sustainment) framework, programs report on systematic efforts to expand screening, treatment and provide linkage to community-based care upon release. RESULTS: All four systems were engaged with implementation of MAT at the outset of the study. Thus, findings focus more on uptake and penetration as part of implementation and sustainment of medication treatment. The prevalence of OUD during any given month ranged from 28 to 65% of the population in the participating facilities. All programs developed consistent approaches to screen individuals at intake and provided care coordination with community treatment providers at the time of release. The proportion of individuals with OUD who received MAT ranged considerably from 9 to 61%. Despite efforts at all four sites to increase utilization of MAT, only one site achieved sustained growth in the proportion of individuals treated over the course of the project. Government leadership, dedicated funding and collaboration with community treatment providers were deemed essential to adoption of MAT during implementation phases. Facilitators for MAT included increases in staffing and staff training; group education on medication assisted therapies; use of data to drive change processes; coordination with other elements of the criminal justice system to expand care; and ongoing contact with individuals post-release to encourage continued treatment. Barriers included lack of funding and space and institutional design; challenges in changing the cultural perception of all approved treatments; excluding or discontinuing treatment based on patient factors, movement or transfer of individuals; and inability to sustain care coordination at the time of release. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of evidence-based medication assisted therapies for OUD in prisons and jails can be accomplished but requires persistent effort to identify and overcome challenges and dedicated funding to sustain programs.
Authors: Ekaterina Pivovarova; Elizabeth A Evans; Thomas J Stopka; Claudia Santelices; Warren J Ferguson; Peter D Friedmann Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2022-03-07 Impact factor: 4.852
Authors: Christine E Grella; Erika Ostlie; Dennis P Watson; Christy K Scott; John Carnevale; Michael L Dennis Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2022-01-04
Authors: Elizabeth A Evans; Thomas J Stopka; Ekaterina Pivovarova; Sean M Murphy; Faye S Taxman; Warren J Ferguson; Dana Bernson; Claudia Santelices; Kathryn E McCollister; Randall Hoskinson; Thomas Lincoln; Peter D Friedmann Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2021-01-08