1415. Successful Model for Pharmacy Driven Harm Reduction Services to Link Veterans Who Inject Drugs Into Care

Abstract

Background Substance abuse continues to be on the rise in the U.S. driven by the proliferation of fentanyl laced street drugs. Per the CDC, during May 2020 - April 2021, a 29% increase in over dose deaths was observed compared to the previous year. Harm reduction services play a major role in reducing overdose deaths, life-threatening infections and chronic diseases. Syringe service programs (SSPs) have proven to be an essential component of a broader focus on harm reduction; however, gaps remain in engaging Veterans into these programs. Figure 1.Contents of Standard SSP Kit Distributed to Veterans at the Orlando VA Methods A multimodal strategy was implemented to engage Veterans and VA staff into harm reduction services. A harm reduction short video series was developed and posted on social media channels. ICD-10 codes were utilized to identify Veterans with polysubstance use and harm reduction letters were mailed. A pre and post survey was developed to assess provider’s familiarity and level of comfort with SSPs before and after in-service education was provided by ID physicians. An ID pharmacy consult was developed for providers to request patient education or harm reduction kit dispensing. Upon completion of the quality improvement project, we expect to see an increase in the number of Veterans utilizing SSP. Figure 2.Orlando VA SSP Process MapFigure 3.Harm Reduction Letter Results Upon implementation of outreach strategies total SSP visits increased by 72%. A total of 2040 syringes and 24 Naloxone kits have been dispensed through the SSP. Survey data shows that employees' knowledge on SSPs have increased by 48%, their comfort on working with Veterans who inject drugs increased by 6%, providers confidence in the tools available to them to successfully help veterans with alcohol and substance use recovery increased by 17%, misconception that SSPs increase drug use decreased by 6%, and support of placing consults for medication assisted therapy increased by 4%. Data is notable given limitations like post survey participation. Figure 4.Pre and Post Education Survey Data Collection ComparisonFigure 5.Pre and Post Education Survey Data Collection ComparisonFigure 6.Pre and Post Education Survey Data Collection Comparison Conclusion The implementation of multimodal strategies to engage Veterans and VA staff has resulted in an increase of SSP utilization. Sustained efforts to continue to identify target patients and bring them into care will be undertaken in an effort to increase and normalize SSP utilization. The steps already taken can serve as a model for programs currently in development and moves us closer to ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. Figure 7.Outreach Strategies Summary Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.