Technology-based Solutions

TP2 - Expanding Support for Individuals with High-risk Substance Use: How Technology can Increase Connections

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Location: South Exhibit Hall HJK, Level 2, LACC

Poster Presenter(s)

Linda Demasi, MBA

Senior Project Manager, Addiction Services, EMSL
Northwell Health
New Hyde Park, New York
Sandeep Kapoor, MD, MS-HPPL

AVP, Emergency Medicine Service Line Addiction Services
Northwell Health
Division of General Internal Medicine Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
New Hyde Park, New York

Hospitals serve as safety nets to support communities in times of crisis. We implemented remote Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services, including enrollment into Project Connect. We will address challenges in addressing substance use, how the remote infrastructure was established and disseminated, how the remote platform allowed for diversification and expansion of substance use support and lessons learned in engaging a vulnerable population during challenging times. We will share data to illustrate the increase in varied enrollment.

Learning Objectives:

Illustrate a different pathway where the pandemic posed challenges in identifying and supporting patients with substance use in emergency department settings.
Examine how crisis-driven methodologies in providing support for substance use allowed the expansion of a peer-based longitudinal support infrastructure to additional populations of individuals with substance use disorders.
Reflect on opportunities to implement framework and use technology for support within health care organizations to expand care for chronic health conditions.