Search

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to estimate the association between receipt of specific post-overdose care services in the emergency department (ED) and subsequent engagement in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) after discharge.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of Rhode Island residents treated at 1 of 4 EDs for opioid overdose who were not engaged in OUD treatment and were discharged home (May 2016-April 2021). Electronic health record data were used to identify ED services received, and state administrative data were used to define subsequent engagement in OUD treatment within 30 days. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between ED services received and subsequent treatment engagement.ResultsOverall, 1008 people not engaged in OUD treatment were treated at study EDs for opioid overdose and discharged home, of whom 146 (14%) subsequently engaged in OUD treatment within 30 days. Most patients were aged 25 to 44 years (59%) and non-Hispanic White (69%). Receipt of behavioral counseling in the ED (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-2.71) and initiation of buprenorphine treatment in/from the ED (aOR = 5.86, 95% CI = 2.70-12.71) were associated with treatment engagement. Receipt of a take-home naloxone kit or naloxone prescription and referral to treatment at discharge were not associated with treatment engagement. Overall, 49% of patients received behavioral counseling in the ED, and 3% initiated buprenorphine in/from the ED.ConclusionStrategies for increasing provision of behavioral counseling and initiation of buprenorphine in the ED may be useful for improving subsequent engagement in OUD treatment after discharge.

Objectives. To determine whether geographic prioritization of limited COVID-19 vaccine supply was effective for reducing geographic disparities in case rates. Methods. Rhode Island allocated a portion of the initial COVID-19 vaccine supply to residents of Central Falls, a community already affected by structural policies and inadequate systems that perpetuate health inequities and experiencing disproportionately high COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The policy was implemented with a culturally and linguistically appropriate community engagement plan and was intended to reduce observed disparities. Using a Bayesian causal analysis with population surveillance data, we evaluated the impact of this prioritization policy on recorded cases over the subsequent 16 weeks. Results. Early geographic prioritization of Central Falls accelerated vaccine uptake, averting an estimated 520 cases (95% confidence interval = 22, 1418) over 16 weeks and reducing cases by approximately 34% during this period (520 averted vs 1519 expected without early prioritization). Conclusions. Early geographic prioritization increased vaccine uptake and reduced cases in Central Falls, thereby reducing geographic disparities. Public Health Implications. Public health institutions should consider geographic prioritization of limited vaccine supply to reduce geographic disparities in case rates. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S7):S580–S589. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307741) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Design Setting Participants Intervention and comparator Measurements Findings Conclusions Emergency departments (EDs) provide an opportunity to identify people at risk of overdose and reduce the risk. We evaluated the effect of an ED behavioral intervention delivered by peer recovery support specialists (PRSSs) on non‐fatal opioid overdose.Two‐arm, randomized trial.Two EDs in Rhode Island, USA.ED patients presenting with an opioid overdose, complications of opioid use disorder or a recent history of opioid overdose (November 2018–May 2021). Among 648 participants, the mean age was 36.9 years, 68.2% were male and 68.5% were White.Participants were randomized to receive a behavioral intervention from a PRSS (n = 323) or a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) (n = 325). PRSS and LICSW used evidence‐based interviewing and intervention techniques, informed by their lived experience (PRSS) or clinical theory and practice (LICSW).We identified non‐fatal opioid overdoses in the 18 months following the ED visit through linkage to statewide emergency medical services data using a validated case definition. The primary outcome was any non‐fatal opioid overdose during the 18‐month follow‐up period.Among 323 participants randomized to the PRSS arm, 81 (25.1%) had a non‐fatal opioid overdose during follow‐up, compared with 95 (29.2%) of 325 participants randomized to the LICSW arm (P = 0.24). There was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of randomization to the PRSS arm versus the LICSW arm on the risk of non‐fatal opioid overdose, adjusting for the history of previous overdose (relative risk = 0.86, 95% confidence interval = 0.67–1.11).In Rhode Island, USA, over one‐in‐four emergency department patients at high risk of overdose experience a non‐fatal opioid overdose in the 18 months post‐discharge. We found no evidence that the risk of non‐fatal opioid overdose differs for emergency department patients receiving a behavioral intervention from a peer recovery support specialist versus a licensed clinical social worker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study examined if emergency department (ED) operational metrics, such as wait time or length of stay, are associated with interest in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment referral among patients at high risk of opioid overdose. METHODS: In this observational study, 648 ED patients at high risk of opioid overdose completed a baseline questionnaire. Operational metrics were summarized using electronic health record data. The association between operational metrics and treatment interest was estimated with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Longer time to room (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01-1.25) and length of stay (AOR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00-1.05) were associated with treatment referral interest. Time to provider and number of treating providers showed no significant association. CONCLUSION: Longer rooming wait times and longer ED visits were associated with increased SUD treatment referral interest. This suggests patients who wait for longer periods may be motivated for treatment and warrant further resource investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic negatively affected adolescent mental health due to school closures, isolation, family loss/hardships, and reduced health care access. Methods: We compared adolescent mental health in Rhode Island before versus during the pandemic, separately among middle and high schoolers. This serial cross‐sectional study used Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2019 and 2021 (N = 7403). Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between year and mental health status, adjusting for sociodemographics. Results: Middle schoolers in 2021 had higher odds of ever seriously considering suicide (22.6% vs 16.7%) and ever attempting suicide (9.3% vs 6.1%) compared to 2019. Among high schoolers, those in 2021 had higher odds of experiencing persistent sadness/hopelessness in the past year (37.4% vs 32.0%). However, high schoolers in 2019 and 2021 had similar odds of considering suicide in the past year, while those in 2021 had lower odds of having attempted suicide in the past year (8.5% vs 14.6%). Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic may have worsened multiple aspects of adolescent mental health in Rhode Island, particularly among middle schoolers. Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity: Promoting school connectedness, creating supportive environments, and diversifying the mental health workforce may help overcome adverse pandemic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To help understand whether decreased emergency medical services (EMS) utilization due to the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased accidental fatal drug overdoses, we characterized recent EMS utilization history among people who had an accidental opioid-involved fatal drug overdose in Rhode Island. Methods: We identified accidental opioid-involved fatal drug overdoses among Rhode Island residents that occurred from January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020. We linked decedents by name and date of birth to the Rhode Island EMS Information System to obtain EMS utilization history. Results: Among 763 people who had an accidental opioid-involved fatal overdose, 51% had any EMS run and 16% had any opioid overdose–related EMS run in the 2 years before death. Non-Hispanic White decedents were significantly more likely than decedents of other races and ethnicities to have any EMS run (P <.001) and any opioid overdose–related EMS run (P =.05) in the 2 years before death. Despite a 31% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 through 2020, corresponding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, EMS utilization in the prior 2 years, prior 180 days, or prior 90 days did not vary by time frame of death. Conclusion: In Rhode Island, decreased EMS utilization because of the COVID-19 pandemic was not a driving force behind the increase in overdose fatalities observed in 2020. However, with half of people who had an accidental opioid-involved fatal drug overdose having an EMS run in the 2 years before death, emergency care is a potential opportunity to link people to health care and social services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To estimate excess health care costs in the 12 months following COVID-19 diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island claims incurred from January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022, among commercial and Medicare Advantage members. METHODS: Difference-in-differences analyses were used to compare changes in health care spend between the 12 months before (baseline period) and the 12 months after (post period) COVID-19 diagnosis for COVID-19 cases and contemporaneous matched controls without COVID-19. RESULTS: Overall, there were 7224 commercial and 1630 Medicare Advantage members with a COVID-19 diagnosis on/before March 31, 2021, each with a matched control, yielding a sample of 14,448 commercial and 3260 Medicare Advantage members. Among commercial members, 51.9% were aged 25 to 54 years and 54.0% were female. Among Medicare Advantage members, 94.2% were 65 years or older and 62.0% were female. Among commercial members, from the baseline period to the post period, total health care spend increased $41.61 (7.7%) per member per month (PMPM) more among COVID-19 cases compared with their matched controls. Among Medicare Advantage members, the difference-in-differences was greater, with spend increasing $97.30 (13.1%) PMPM more among cases compared with controls. The difference-in-differences was greatest for outpatient and professional services (both populations) and prescription services (Medicare Advantage only). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with excess health care spend PMPM over the subsequent 12 months, highlighting the importance of societal preparations to support individuals' long-term health care needs following COVID-19 and as a part of future pandemic preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for people with HIV (PWH), irrespective of CD4 cell count, to improve their health and reduce the risk of transmission to sexual partners through long-term viral suppression. We identified risk factors for viral rebound among patients with a period of stable viral suppression to inform counseling and monitoring. Methods We conducted a multisite, retrospective study of PWH with a 2-year period of sustained viral suppression in the United States using the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics independently associated with any viral rebound (viral load [VL] ≥200 copies/mL) and sustained viral rebound (VL ≥200 copies/mL followed by a VL that was also ≥200 copies/mL within 6 months), within 2 years of follow-up. Results Among 3496 eligible patients with a 2-year period of sustained viral suppression, most (90%) continued to have viral suppression over 2 additional years; 10% experienced viral rebound, and 4% experienced sustained viral rebound. In multivariable analyses, Black race, current smoking, integrase strand transfer inhibitor use, and 5- to 9-year duration of ART were positively associated, and being age ≥50 years was negatively associated, with any viral rebound. Only current smoking and 5- to 9-year (vs 2- to 4-year) duration of ART were positively associated, and being age ≥60 years was negatively associated, with sustained viral rebound. Conclusions Most people retained in clinical care and with HIV viral suppression on ART will have persistent viral suppression. However, some patients may benefit from additional treatment adherence support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibody (MAB) treatments for COVID-19 received Emergency Use Authorization in the United States. METHODS: We used surveillance data from Rhode Island to conduct a retrospective, statewide cohort study to estimate the effectiveness of MABs for preventing hospitalization and death during periods when Alpha and Delta variants were predominant. RESULTS: From 1/17/2021–10/26/2021, 285 long-term congregate care (LTCC) residents and 3,113 non-congregate patients met our eligibility criteria and received MAB; they were matched to 285 and 6,226 controls, respectively. Among LTCC residents, 8.8% (25/285) of patients who received MAB were hospitalized or died compared to 25.3% (72/285) of those who did not receive MAB (adjusted difference=16.7%, 95% confidence interval CI=11.0-22.3%). Among non-congregate patients, 4.5% (140/3,113) of patients who received MAB were hospitalized or died compared to 11.8% (737/6,226) of those who did not receive MAB (adjusted difference=7.2%, 95% CI=6.0-8.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of MABs led to an absolute reduction in hospitalization or death during periods when Alpha and Delta variants were predominant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a statewide treatment standards policy for post-overdose emergency department (ED) care on services provided and subsequent treatment engagement. METHODS: This pre-/post-study used electronic health record data and surveillance data from Rhode Island. Outcomes were compared for patients attending EDs for opioid overdose before (03/1/2015-02/28/2017) and after (04/01/2017-03/31/2021) policy release. RESULTS: Overall, 2,134 patients attended 2,891 ED visits for opioid overdose. Compared to pre-policy, visits post-policy more often included initiation of buprenorphine in or from the ED (<1% vs. 3%, p<0.01), provision of a take-home naloxone kit or prescription (41% vs. 58%, p<0.01), and referral to treatment (0% vs. 34%, p<0.01). Provision of behavioral counseling in the ED and initiation of treatment within 30 days of the visit were similar during the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: Statewide post-overdose treatment standards may improve provision of some ED services. Additional strategies are needed to improve subsequent treatment engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]