Linkage to Care Across County Systems - What is linkage to care across county systems?

Linkage to Care Across County Systems A NACo Opioid Solutions Strategy Brief What is linkage to care across county systems? “Linkage to Counties operate and fund systems of service that regularly interface with people affected by substance use, such as hospitals, jails, courts and community colleges. [...] Treatment with methadone and buprenorphine, which reduce cravings and reduce overdose risk by binding to opioid receptors, are the only treatments for OUD proven to protect against overdose.30,31 County systems and agencies regularly interface with people living with OUD at their moment of highest overdose risk, including those recently released from jail,32 those being treated for non-fatal overd. [...] What are best practices for implementing linkage to car e across county systems? • Develop a sequential intercept model to identify existing points of contact, gaps in care and opportunities to link residents with the treatment and services they desire.35 • C reate a county-wide referral network for linkage to MOUD. [...] Seek connections with providers that offer, but do not mandate, psychotherapy alongside MOUD treatment.36 • H ire Nurse Care Managers and other skilled clinical health professionals in hospitals and clinics to support MOUD prescribers in increasing their patient load.37 • H ire peer support specialists to provide social support and recovery services to persons with OUD referred to treatment and ot. [...] Each “spoke” clinic is supported by a registered nurse and a licensed behavioral health provider for every 100 patients receiving MOUD, partially funded through state Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.43 Vermont’s hub-and spoke model operates at the state level, but the principles of this effective system of treatment and referral can be reproduced at the county level.