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

Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MassachusettsBackground and Objectives: Opioid dependent patients arehospitalized frequently. We aimed to determine if initiation ofbuprenorphine treatment during hospitalization facilitates entry intotreatment following discharge.Methods: Retrospective case series (n¼47).Results: Twenty‐two (46.8%) patients successfully initiated bupre-norphine treatment within 2 months of discharge. Those patientsobtaining a referral to a specific program were more successful incontinuing treatment, but this difference did not reach statisticalsignificance (59.1% vs 39.1%, p¼0.18).Discussion and Conclusions: Hospitalization may be an importantopportunity to engage opioid dependent patients to initiatebuprenorphine treatment.Scientific Significance: This study provides provisional support forutilizingbuprenorphineforhospitalizedpatients.(AmJAddict2014:XX: XX–XX)