SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Winning Strategy to Implement an Inpatient Addiction Consult Service

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Northwestern Memorial Hospital identified a major gap in inpatient substance use disorder (SUD) care: in FY22, 15% of patients on general medicine units had suspected SUD, but only one-third of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) received treatment during admission. A key barrier was low provider confidence in starting medications for OUD.<br /><br />To address this, the hospital launched a multidisciplinary inpatient Addiction Consult Service (ACS) on April 1, 2024. The service includes a physician with addiction expertise and a dedicated social worker, available Monday through Friday. The ACS helps manage withdrawal, starts treatment for interested patients, provides counseling, and links patients to longer-term outpatient care.<br /><br />Early results were promising. Compared with the year before implementation, inpatient treatment for SUD increased by 125%, and patients with OUD were six times more likely to receive OUD medication when the ACS was consulted. Medication use also rose across key treatments such as naltrexone, acamprosate, buprenorphine, and methadone.<br /><br />Survey data suggested strong acceptance from care teams, and patient feedback showed improved communication: ACS patients were more likely to report that physicians were listening to their concerns during hospitalization. The team also plans to expand education through learner rotations, improve EHR order sets, and develop protocols and dashboards to sustain progress.<br /><br />Overall, the ACS improved access to evidence-based inpatient SUD treatment, increased patient and team satisfaction, and created a foundation for ongoing expansion and quality improvement.

Asset Subtitle

Katherine Welter

Meta Tag

Author List Allison Carroll, Brent Schnipke, Christina Wing, Jane S. Kim, Katherine Welter, Kevin J. O'Leary, Lisa Blankenship, Lisa Rosenthal, Luke Favia, Madeline Nelson, Melissa Bregger, Rashondra Rankin

Category Research

Concept Inpatient Addiction Consult Service

Concept Opioid Use Disorder

Concept Expertise

Concept Withdrawal Management

Concept Inpatient Initiation

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Presenting Author Katherine Welter

Track Consultative Medicine

Keywords

inpatient addiction consult service

substance use disorder

opioid use disorder

hospital-based treatment

medication initiation

buprenorphine

methadone

naltrexone

acamprosate

quality improvement

Inpatient Addiction Consult Service

Opioid Use Disorder

Expertise

Withdrawal Management

Inpatient Initiation