ED Bridge
With the addition of the ED Bridge program, KYSOS now addresses the full continuum of care for Kentucky patients, treatment of pain and treating those with opioid use disorder (OUD). The newest initiative within KYSOS is the launch of the Emergency Department (ED) Bridge Program. The main objective of the ED Bridge Program is to ensure patients with OUD receive 24/7 access to care. EDs have an incredible opportunity to make OUD treatment accessible to all.
The state has ED Bridge Programs in place, making a difference in the lives of patients and their communities. However, the KYSOS team will continue to expand the ED Bridge Programs into acute care hospital EDs across the state. The KYSOS ED Bridge Program goal is to increase access to treatment and assist patients on their road to recovery, thus saving lives in Kentucky communities.
For more information about the ED Bridge program, contact Emily Henderson and Mary Beth Ecken.
- Provide Low-barrier Treatment
- Ensure buprenorphine is on hospital formulary and readily available for rapid, same-day treatment.
- Assess and remove unnecessary barriers to treatment.
- Connect Patients to Ongoing Care in Community
- Link patients to a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) that will provide support and follow-up.
- Establish connections with at least one clinic or outpatient setting in the community.
- Nurture a Culture of Harm Reduction in ED Department
- Identify a Clinical Champion who will be a key player in program.
- Educate staff on medications for addiction treatment (MAT), treatment protocols, and referrals to community.
- Provide naloxone to all patients upon discharge with history of overdose (OD), risk for OD, or opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis
- Collect Data to Measure Success
- Track and report data through KY Quality Counts.
- Generate support to sustain program.
*Adapted from California Bridge*
