Access to safer injection equipment among people who inject drugs utilizing medical services in an urban hospital in the United States

Applewhite, Dinah; Regan, Susan; Donelan, Karen; Macias‐Konstantopoulos, Wendy; Williamson, Dawn; Kehoe, Laura; Shaw, Christopher; Wakeman, Sarah E.

doi:10.1080/16066359.2022.2162889

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Prior studies have focused on community-based harm reduction, and early studies are examining harm reduction in primary care . Our study builds on these findings, with patients and staff viewing hospitalization as an opportunity to offer overdose prevention education and harm reduction supplies, particularly for communities missed by existing access points . Additionally, participants reported that harm reduction–based care offered staff a tool to effectively engage patients, reducing stigma and building trust between people who use drugs and the health care system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…[29][30][31] Our study builds on these findings, with patients and staff viewing hospitalization as an opportunity to offer overdose prevention education and harm reduction supplies, particularly for communities missed by existing access points. 32 Additionally, participants reported that harm reduction-based care offered staff a tool to effectively engage patients, reducing stigma and building trust between people who use drugs and the health care system. We also found that efforts must be paired with careful assessment of patient goals and staff education.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Patient and Staff Perspectives on the Impacts and Challenges of Hospital-Based Harm Reduction

Fraimow-Wong,

Martín,

Thomas

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceHarm reduction is associated with improved health outcomes among people who use substances. As overdose deaths persist, hospitals are recognizing the need for harm reduction services; however, little is known about the outcomes of hospital-based harm reduction for patients and staff.ObjectiveTo evaluate patient and staff perspectives on the impact and challenges of a hospital-based harm reduction program offering safer use education and supplies at discharge.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis qualitative study consisted of 40-minute semistructured interviews with hospitalized patients receiving harm reduction services and hospital staff at an urban, safety-net hospital in California from October 2022 to March 2023. Purposive sampling allowed inclusion of diverse patient racial and ethnic identities, substance use disorders (SUDs), and staff roles.ExposureReceipt of harm reduction education and/or supplies (eg, syringes, pipes, naloxone, and test strips) from an addiction consult team, or providing care for patients receiving these services.Main Outcomes and MeasuresInterviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes.ResultsA total of 40 participants completed interviews, including 20 patients (mean [SD] age, 43 [13] years; 1 American Indian or Alaska Native [5%], 1 Asian and Pacific Islander [5%], 6 Black [30%]; 6 Latine [30%]; and 6 White [30%]) and 20 staff (mean [SD] age 37 [8] years). Patients were diagnosed with a variety of SUDs (7 patients with opioid and stimulant use disorder [35%]; 7 patients with stimulant use disorder [35%]; 3 patients with opioid use disorder [15%]; and 3 patients with alcohol use disorder [15%]). A total of 3 themes were identified; respondents reported that harm reduction programs (1) expanded access to harm reduction education and supplies, particularly for ethnically and racially minoritized populations; (2) built trust by improving the patient care experience and increasing engagement; and (3) catalyzed culture change by helping destigmatize care for individuals who planned to continue using substances and increasing staff fulfillment. Black and Latine patients, those who primarily used stimulants, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP) reported learning new harm reduction strategies. Program challenges included hesitancy regarding regulations, limited SUD education among staff, remaining stigma, and the need for careful assessment of patient goals.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this qualitative study, patients and staff believed that integrating harm reduction services into hospital care increased access for populations unfamiliar with harm reduction, improved trust, and reduced stigma. These findings suggest that efforts to increase access to harm reduction services for Black, Latine, and LEP populations, including those who use stimulants, are especially needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%