Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

B7D - Changing Pathways — Improving Outcomes and Saving Lives of Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

Monday, April 11, 2022

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Location: Gaylord National, Woodrow Wilson Ballroom A

Workshop Presenter(s)

J Craig Allen, MD, FASAM

Medical Director
Rushford Center
Meriden, Connecticut
Sandrine Pirard, MD, PhD, MPH

VP, Medical Director
Beacon Health Options
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Carrie Bourdon, LCSW

Chief Administrative Officer
Beacon Health Options
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

As the opioid crisis worsens, access to evidence-based treatment is critical. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) have been shown to reduce the risk of relapse and overdose and support long-term recovery. The Changing Pathways model incorporates MOUD induction into withdrawal management care. Individuals are started and maintained on MOUD with a warm transfer to community care instead of being detoxed and discharged. This presentation will highlight the core components of the model and the outcomes seen in the program's first year.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the impact of practice change through the Changing Pathways model in managing OUD on inpatient units.
Discuss the importance of education, inpatient induction and warm transfer to increase adherence to medications for OUD (MOUD);
Discuss challenges and successes of implementing Changing Pathways in freestanding withdrawal management and inpatient psychiatric units.