Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Lowers Barriers to Evidence-Based Medications for Addition Treatment

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) Emergency Department Medication for Addiction Treatment (ED MAT) Bridge Program serves patients with substance use disorders in the emergency department at ARMC. The program’s objective is to lower barriers to evidence-based medications for addiction treatment, particularly buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD). Its ultimate goal is to reduce the rising death rate from an opioid overdose. ARMC is one of the first hospitals to launch and implement the bridge model and is recognized as a Center of Excellence for addiction treatment. The program has treated nearly 1,000 patients with a 30-day retention rate of 85%.