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Kronfli N, Lafferty L, Leone F, Stoové M, Hajarizadeh B, Lloyd AR, Altice FL. Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104540. [PMID: 39079352 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elimination of bloodborne viruses including HIV and hepatitis C virus from prisons requires high coverage of evidence-based interventions that prevent bloodborne virus transmission, including needle and syringe programs. Canada launched a Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) in nine federal prisons in 2018; however, uptake among people who inject drugs in prison remains low. We aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to improving PNEP uptake identified by correctional officers and healthcare workers. METHODS Participants from nine federal prisons with PNEP completed focus groups using nominal group technique, a rapid mixed-method consensus strategy. Responses were generated, rank-ordered, and prioritized by each stakeholder group. We identified the highest-ranking responses (≥10 % of the overall votes) to questions about barriers and facilitators to PNEP uptake. RESULTS Between September 2023 and February 2024, 16 focus groups were conducted with 118 participants (n = 51 correctional officers; n = 67 healthcare workers). Among correctional officers, the top perceived barriers were bullying from peers (22 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (14 %), and fear of repercussions due to drug use (13 %). The top facilitators were safe injection sites (30 %), provision of wrap-around services (16 %), and education of correctional officers (10 %). Among healthcare workers, the top perceived barriers were lack of confidentiality (16 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (12 %), and a long and complex application process (11 %). The top facilitators were education of correctional officers (29 %), delivery of PNEP by an external provider (15 %), automatic approval for participation in the PNEP (13 %), and safe injection sites (12 %). CONCLUSION Multiple modifiable barriers and solutions to improving PNEP uptake in Canadian federal prisons were identified by correctional employees. Both participant groups identified the potential for safe injection sites and education to correctional officers as enabling PNEP uptake. These data will inform Canadian efforts to improve engagement and to expand PNEP coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kronfli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Lise Lafferty
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Level 1, Goodsell Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Frederic Leone
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark Stoové
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine. 135 College St., Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Bartholomew TS, Tookes HE, Chueng TA, Bluthenthal RN, Wenger LD, Kral AH, Lambdin BH. Availability of telehealth-based services at syringe services programs under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:122. [PMID: 37660029 PMCID: PMC10475193 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00861-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The expanded capacity of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the USA to integrate telehealth services was largely related to flexibility of buprenorphine prescription in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SSPs demonstrated the potential of using telehealth to reach participants with both medical and non-medical services. The present study examines the implementation of medical and non-medical telehealth-based health services in 2020 at SSPs in the USA and organizational characteristics associated with adopting specific telehealth services. METHODS We administered a cross-sectional survey among all known SSPs operating in the USA as of 2021. The two primary study outcomes were (1) implementation of medical telehealth and (2) implementation of non-medical telehealth in 2020. Medical services included HIV counseling/care, hepatitis C virus (HCV) counseling/care, and buprenorphine. Non-medical services included wellbeing/check-ins, overdose prevention training, health navigation, harm reduction and psychological counseling. Bivariate and multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models were used to directly estimate the odds ratio associated with organizational characteristics on the implementation of telehealth-based health services. RESULTS Thirty percent of programs (n = 290) reported implementing telehealth-based health services. In multivariable logistic regression models, community-based organization SSPs had higher odds of implementing medical (aOR = 4.69, 95% CI [1.96, 11.19]) and non-medical (aOR = 2.18, 95% CI [1.10, 4.31]) health services compared to public health department SSPs. SSPs that received governmental funding had higher odds of implementing medical services via telehealth (aOR = 2.45, 95% CI [1.35, 4.47]) compared to programs without governmental funding. CONCLUSION Community-based organization SSPs and those with government funding had the highest odds of telehealth implementation in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Federal, state, and local governments must increase funding for low-barrier venues like SSPs to support telehealth implementation to serve the needs of people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hansel E Tookes
- University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St #860, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Teresa A Chueng
- University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th St #860, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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Serota DP, Tookes HE, Hervera B, Gayle BM, Roeck CR, Suarez E, Forrest DW, Kolber MA, Bartholomew TS, Rodriguez AE, Doblecki-Lewis S. Harm reduction for the treatment of patients with severe injection-related infections: description of the Jackson SIRI Team. Ann Med 2021; 53:1960-1968. [PMID: 34726095 PMCID: PMC8567885 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2021.1993326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hospitalizations for severe injection-related infections (SIRI), such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are increasingly common. People who inject drugs (PWID) experiencing SIRIs often receive inadequate substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and lack of access to harm reduction services. This translates into lengthy hospitalizations with high rates of patient-directed discharge, readmissions, and post-hospitalization mortality. The purpose of this study was to describe the development of an integrated "SIRI Team" and its initial barriers and facilitators to success. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Jackson SIRI Team was developed to improve both hospital and patient-level outcomes for individuals hospitalized with SIRIs at Jackson Memorial Hospital, a 1550-bed public hospital in Miami, Florida, United States. The SIRI Team provides integrated infectious disease and SUD treatment across the healthcare system starting from the inpatient setting and continuing for 90-days post-hospital discharge. The team uses a harm reduction approach, provides care coordination, focuses on access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and utilizes a variety of infection and addiction treatment modalities to suit each individual patient. RESULTS Over the initial 8-months of the SIRI Team, 21 patients were treated with 20 surviving until discharge. Infections included osteomyelitis, endocarditis, bacteraemia/fungemia, SSTIs, and septic arthritis. All patients had OUD and 95% used stimulants. All patients were discharged on MOUD and 95% completed their prescribed antibiotic course. At 90-days post-discharge, 25% had been readmitted and 70% reported taking MOUD. CONCLUSIONS A model of integrated infectious disease and SUD care for the treatment of SIRIs has the potential to improve infection and addiction outcomes. Providing attentive, patient-centered care, using a harm reduction approach can facilitate engagement of this marginalized population with the healthcare system.KEY MESSAGESIntegrated infectious disease and addiction treatment is a novel approach to treating severe injection-related infections.Harm reduction should be applied to treating patients with severe injection-related infections with a goal of facilitating antibiotic completion, remission from substance use disorder, and reducing hospital readmissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P. Serota
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hansel E. Tookes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Belén Hervera
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Babley M. Gayle
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson Health System, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cara R. Roeck
- Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson Health System, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Edward Suarez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David W. Forrest
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michael A. Kolber
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tyler S. Bartholomew
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Allan E. Rodriguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Susanne Doblecki-Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Sanchez DP, Tookes H, Pastar I, Lev-Tov H. Wounds and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in People Who Inject Drugs and the Utility of Syringe Service Programs in Their Management. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2021; 10:571-582. [PMID: 33913781 PMCID: PMC8312019 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2020.1243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Opioid use disorder and transition to injection drug use (IDU) are an urgent, nationwide public health crisis. Wounds and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common complications of IDU that disproportionately affect people who inject drugs (PWID) and are a major source of morbidity and mortality for this population. Critical Issues: Injections in a nonsterile environment and reusing or sharing needles facilitates bacterial inoculation, with subsequent risk of serious complications such as sepsis, gangrene, amputation, and death. PWID are susceptible to infections with a wide spectrum of organisms beyond common culprits of SSTI, including Clostridium and Bacillus spp., as well as Candida. Recent Advances: Syringe services programs (SSPs) are cost-effective and successful in reducing harms associated with IDU. SSPs provide new equipment to PWID and aid in discarding used equipment. SSPs aim to reduce the risks of unhygienic injecting practices, which are associated with transmission of infections and blood-borne pathogens. Future Directions: Concurrently run SSPs and wound care clinics are uniquely positioned to facilitate care to PWID. Providing new, sterile equipment as well as early wound care intervention can reduce morbidity and mortality as well as health care expenditures by reducing the number of SSTI and injection-related wounds that require hospital admission. Establishment of wound care clinics as part of an SSP represents an untapped potential to reduce harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela P. Sanchez
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hansel Tookes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Irena Pastar
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Hadar Lev-Tov
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Surratt HL, Otachi J, McLouth C, Vundi N. Healthcare stigma and HIV risk among rural people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108878. [PMID: 34214880 PMCID: PMC8355211 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The HIV epidemic is increasingly penetrating rural areas of the U.S. due to evolving epidemics of injection drug use. Many rural areas experience deficits in availability of HIV prevention, testing and harm reduction services, and confront significant stigma that inhibits care seeking. This paper examines enacted stigma in healthcare settings among rural people who inject drugs (PWID) and explores associations of stigma with continuing high-risk behaviors for HIV. METHODS PWID participants (n = 324) were recruited into the study in three county health department syringe service programs (SSPs), as well as in local community-based organizations. Trained interviewers completed a standardized baseline interview lasting approximately 40 min. Bivariate logistic regression models examined the associations between enacted healthcare stigma, health conditions, and injection risk behaviors, and a mediation analysis was conducted. RESULTS Stigmatizing health conditions were common in this sample of PWID, and 201 (62.0 %) reported experiencing stigma from healthcare providers. Injection risk behaviors were uniformly associated with higher odds of enacted healthcare stigma, including sharing injection equipment at most recent injection (OR = 2.76; CI 1.55, 4.91), and lifetime receptive needle sharing (OR = 2.27; CI 1.42, 3.63). Enacted healthcare stigma partially mediated the relationship between having a stigmatizing health condition and engagement in high-risk injection behaviors. DISCUSSION Rural PWID are vulnerable to stigma in healthcare settings, which contributes to high-risk injection behaviors for HIV. These findings have critical public health implications, including the importance of tailored interventions to decrease enacted stigma in care settings, and structural changes to expand the provision of healthcare services within SSP settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chris McLouth
- University of Kentucky, Department of Behavioral Science
| | - Nikita Vundi
- University of Kentucky, Center for Health Services Research
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Castillo M, Ginoza MEC, Bartholomew TS, Forrest DW, Greven C, Serota DP, Tookes HE. Correction to: When is an abscess more than an abscess? Syringe services programs and the harm reduction safety-net: a case report. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:44. [PMID: 32580787 PMCID: PMC7315538 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00390-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Castillo
- Department of Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Margaret E C Ginoza
- Department of Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tyler S Bartholomew
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - David W Forrest
- Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Costaki Greven
- IDEA Exchange, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David P Serota
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hansel E Tookes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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