South Dakota Department Of Health And SDAHO Provide Hope For Opioid Use Disorders Through ED Toolkit

IN SOUTH DAKOTA, where opioid related deaths have increased 105% from 2012 to 2021, emergency rooms are locations where patients seek help when an overdose has occurred. It has been determined that emergency rooms are key settings in which improved patient outcomes and transitions into recovery begin. The South Dakota Department of Health in partnership with the CDC, and South Dakota Association of Hospital Organizations (SDAHO) has launched ED Toolkit to improve these efforts. MED spoke with RN Clinical Improvement Consultant, Michelle Hofer, from SDAHO on this important project.

MED: What is ED Toolkit?

MH: ED (Emergency Department) Toolkit is an interactive guide for providers and staff to help support them in improving care for at risk patients with substance and opioid use disorders. It is a compilation of best practices for screening, diagnosing, referring, and providing resources and connections for patients. The goal of ED Toolkit is to support state-wide efforts in improving linkages to care, through sharing of evidence-based practices, to help decrease and prevent substance use disorder, opioid use disorder and overdose.

To learn more about the ED toolkit and find out to get an in-depth review of your facility and resources available, read the full article on our website.

MED: How was the Toolkit developed?

MH: This project began back in 2019 and was funded by the OD2A (Overdose Data To Action) CDC Cooperative Agreement. A statewide assessment was conducted in 2020 to understand what policies and practices exist within South Dakota hospitals. 49 hospitals were invited, with 33 participating in the survey. Questions were asked about substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) education, screening, intervention, treatment, overdose, Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), and naloxone distribution. The assessment showed what the needs were in South Dakota, and the toolkit was developed to meet these needs.

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