Title : Office based addiction treatment in a safety net system
Abstract:
Harris Health is the largest safety net care system in Texas and the fourth largest safety net in the nation. The patient population is comprised of a high rate of uninsured/underinsured patients, of which many have chronic diseases, including substance use disorders.
Access to treatment for substance use disorders has been somewhat limited due to multiple reasons such as resource constraints, increasing demand for mental as well as behavioral health.
Harris Health System’s Ambulatory Care Services/University of Texas Health McGovern was selected as one of the six organizations across the country to participate in the national Opioid use disorder study funded by the National Institute of Health in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente for the past four years.
The study was based on the Massachusetts model of Office Based Addiction Treatment where patients are in a primary care setting and the care of the substance misuse patient is seen through the lens of a chronic disease model. This is a program aimed at integrating treatment for opioid use disorder in primary care. This innovative program utilizes a nurse care manager role working closely with waivered physicians.
The patient’s treatment regimens include physical, social, behavioral and mental health. The implementation of Evidence Based Practice models of care ensure that our teams are constantly improving clinical care delivery models through technology, partnerships with community resources, education and research.
The multidisciplinary approach is used in multiple Harris Health clinical sites which entails the collaboration between the Physician (PCP), Nurse Care Manager, Psychiatrist, Behavioral Therapist, Social Worker/Case Managers, Patient Educators, Pharmacists, Information Technology and other community resources.
Our presentation will encompass the leadership journey, the model of care, treatment goals, bridging the treatment gaps, enhancement of access to care and clinical outcomes data.
