Initiating buprenorphine treatment for hospitalized patients with opioid dependence: A case series

Abstract

Background and Objectives Opioid dependent patients are hospitalized frequently. We aimed to determine if initiation of buprenorphine treatment during hospitalization facilitates entry into treatment following discharge. Methods Retrospective case series (n = 47). Results Twenty-two (46.8%) patients successfully initiated buprenorphine treatment within 2 months of discharge. Those patients obtaining a referral to a specific program were more successful in continuing treatment, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (59.1% vs 39.1%, p = 0.18). Discussion and Conclusions Hospitalization may be an important opportunity to engage opioid dependent patients to initiate buprenorphine treatment. Scientific Significance This study provides provisional support for utilizing buprenorphine for hospitalized patients. (Am J Addict 2015;24:10-14)