The IMPACT program is designed to serve patients in the emergency department (ED) who present with identified opioid use disorder related problems. In the ED the patients will be identified by providers and referred to a Peer Recovery Coach for support.
The Peer will complete a Substance Abuse Assessment in the Epic EMR with patients, evaluate treatment readiness and refer for Buprenorphine in the ED if appropriate and desired by the patient. If the patient has a COWS score of 8 or greater, they will be prescribed Buprenorphine in the ED and scheduled with treatment at the appropriate level of care. If the patient is not experiencing moderate or severe withdrawal, the ED physician can prescribe up to 3 days of buprenorphine for the patient to bridge them to treatment, alternatively the consult team will be called to provide the take home medication to bridge them to outpatient MAT. For patients referred to outpatient MAT, peers will schedule patients with an appointment within 1-3 days of their ED visit. Peers will meet the patient at their MAT visits if at Chestnut Ridge Center and continue to follow patients throughout their treatment to provide recovery support.