TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Harm reduction in the hospital: an overdose prevention site (OPS) at a Canadian hospital
JO  - Drug and alcohol dependence
A1  - Nolan, Seonaid
A1  - Kelian, Salpy
A1  - Kerr, Thomas
A1  - Young, Samantha
A1  - Malmgren, Isaac
A1  - Ghafari, Cher
A1  - Harrison, Scott
A1  - Wood, Evan
A1  - Lysyshyn, Mark
A1  - Holliday, Elizabeth
SP  - 109608
EP  - 109608
VL  - 239
IS  - 
N2  - BACKGROUND: Substance use management in hospitals can be challenging. In response, a Canadian hospital opened an overdose prevention site (OPS) where community members and hospital inpatients can inject pre-obtained illicit drugs under supervision. This study aims to: (1) describe program utilization patterns; (2) characterize OPS visits; and (3) evaluate overdose events and related outcomes. <br><br>METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed at one hospital in Vancouver, Canada. All community members and hospital inpatients who visited the OPS between May 2018 and July 2019 were included. Client measures included: hospital inpatient status, use of intravenous access line for drug injection, and substances used. Program measures included: number of visits (daily/monthly), overdose (fatal/non-fatal) events and overdose-related outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: Overall, 11,673 OPS visits were recorded. Monthly visits increased from 306 to 1198 between May 2018 and July 2019 respectively. On average, 26 visits occurred daily. Among all visits, 20% reported being a hospital inpatient, and 5% reported using a hospital intravenous access line for drug injection. Opioids (56%) and stimulants (24%) were the most common substances used. Overall 39 overdose events occurred - 82% required naloxone reversal, 28% required transfer to the hospital's emergency department and none were fatal. Overdose events were more common among hospital inpatients compared to community clients (6.6 vs 2.2 per 1000 visits respectively; p value = 0.046). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This unique OPS is an example of a hospital-based harm reduction initiative. Use of the site increased over time among both groups with no fatal overdose events occurring.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0376-8716
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109608
ID  - ref1
ER  -