Via Austin-Travis County EMS
The Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) Buprenorphine Bridge Program (BBP), which is housed within the Community Health Paramedic (CHP) Program, recently celebrated its third anniversary.
Launched on November 21, 2020, the BBP has exemplified a steadfast commitment to combating the opioid crisis by providing critical support and care to individuals experiencing Opiate Use Disorder (OUD). Developed and run by the CHP team, the BBP is a short-term “bridge” program that brings immediate relief to patients who are seeking treatment for their OUD. The threat of experiencing withdrawal symptoms is a well-known barrier for OUD patients seeking treatment, as it is common to wait up to a week for admittance into a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.
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The BBP has effectively removed that barrier by offering daily treatment with buprenorphine, a common medication used to prevent withdrawal symptoms. CHPs can bring buprenorphine treatment and overdose prevention directly to the patient, while getting them enrolled in an established (MAT) program.
“One of the unique things about our program is that we meet our patients where they are, which is incredibly important to their recovery,” said Chief Deputy Medical Director Heidi Abraham. “We know that there are multiple barriers between our patients and treatment, so by bringing the medications and resources to the patient, we are removing as many barriers as possible, so our patients are successful in their recovery.”
Three years in, the BBP continues to see incredible victories across the community. 93% of patients enrolled in the BBP are successfully admitted into long-term MAT programs. The BBP has also proved to be incredibly valuable in the face of natural disasters, like the devastating winter storms that have hit central Texas in recent years.
“During winter storm Uri, outpatient treatment programs in the area were unable to operate. We were able to step in and provide medication to all their patients for the duration of the storm,” said ATCEMS Interim Assistant Chief Steve White. “One of the primary reasons for relapse is avoiding withdrawal symptoms, so losing every MAT in the area could have been catastrophic for their patients. Our ability to step in and treat these patients unquestionably prevented multiple relapses.”
The anniversary also coincides with a significant milestone for the groundbreaking program, as it recently surpassed over 21,000mg of buprenorphine administered. For perspective, a typical adult dose is between 8-16mg. ATCEMS CHPs estimate that by early next year, they will enroll their 500th patient in the program.
The BBP was one of the first of its kind among EMS systems around the country and has seen significant growth since its inception. The paramedics and physicians who run the program have earned national recognition, recently presenting at the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Services Conference in Washington, D.C.
