In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and other headlining events, some issues that previously garnered lots of attention have fallen by the wayside. This is certainly true when it comes to the global opioid epidemic, but Community Health Paramedics with Austin-Travis County EMS haven’t forgotten about it, they’re fighting it on the front lines.
In December of 2020, the CHP team with ATCEMS established a Buprenorphine Bridge Program to assist patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUH) get treatment while they’re waiting for admission into full treatment programs. Caring for patients with OUH isn’t new to the CHP team. In the summer of 2018, they began an aggressive Opioid Emergency Response program, to bring care beyond overdose treatment to people suffering from OUD. The program distributes overdose rescue kits, connects people with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, healthcare funding, and other supportive services.
Early in the program however, the CHP team identified a gap in the availability of MAT for patients with OUH. Patients often experienced a three- to five-day-delay after hospital discharge, before they could begin treatment in an MAT program. With that delay, comes the threat of withdrawal symptoms, which can be a deterrent for those trying to get help.
To fill this void, ATCEMS began a revolutionary approach to providing care for people with OUH. Developed and run by the CHP team, the Buprenorphine Bridge Program is a short-term treatment program that brings immediate relief to patients who are seeking treatment for their OUD. Under the program, CHPs can bring withdrawal treatment and prevention directly to the patient, and will continue to treat the patient daily while getting them enrolled and started in an established MAT program.
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The Buprenorphine Bridge Program became all the more important during winter storm Uri in February. As the city was devastated by the ice, snow, and loss of power, MAT treatment centers were also closed for several days. As a core part of public safety and health, ATCEMS was operating with a 400% increase in call volume.
With hospitals filled beyond capacity, the CHP team became the only access for many patients whose OUD treatment was interrupted and not available. The CHP team treated dozens of patients in their homes, shelters, and warming centers. Treating patients for an average of three days before they begin regular care in a MAT program, ATCEMS CHP medics have treated dozens of patients in just the first few months of the program, and have had great success in doing so.
As of last week, 100% of the patients treated under this program have been successfully placed in treatment programs, and 90% were still active and successful in their recovery four weeks later.
