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4 ways you can support patients with substance use disorders
Timely follow-up care for substance use disorders enhances outcomes
Effective follow-up care is critical for improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs). Appropriate follow-up services can significantly impact a person’s recovery journey and long-term health.
Timely follow-up care has been shown to reduce the risk of overdose, minimize emergency department visits or hospitalizations, shorten inpatient stays, and improve overall substance use recovery. It also helps in the early identification and management of comorbid conditions, which are often present alongside SUDs.
In 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that 48.5 million individuals aged 12 and older (approximately 17.1% of the population) had experienced a substance use disorder. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and continuous care for individuals living with SUDs.
To support the ongoing treatment and recovery of individuals with substance use disorders, healthcare organizations, including health plans, collect quality data through measures known as the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®). One key HEDIS measure, the Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment (IET), tracks the effectiveness of follow-up care by evaluating two phases:
- Initiation: This phase measures the percentage of individuals with new SUD diagnoses who begin treatment (via inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient services, telehealth, or medication-assisted treatment [MAT]) within 14 days of diagnosis.
- Engagement: This phase evaluates the percentage of individuals who continue treatment within 34 days following the initiation of care.
4 ways you can support patients with SUDs:
- Educate and train staff: Ensure that all healthcare providers and staff are well-informed about the IET measure and relevant clinical guidelines for treating SUDs.
- Schedule follow-up appointments: Whenever possible, schedule follow-up appointments before the patient is discharged from inpatient care. For patients seen in an outpatient setting, ensure that follow-up visits are scheduled prior to their departure, including a second or third appointment.
- Engage families and caregivers: For adolescent patients, involve parents or caregivers in the treatment process at discharge. Ensure they understand the importance of follow-up care and the role they play in supporting their child's recovery.
- Open communication: Educate patients about their diagnosis and available treatment options. Encourage open dialogue to address any concerns they may have about engaging in treatment. Additionally, inform patients about community resources, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, that can provide valuable support during recovery.
By prioritizing follow-up care and ensuring timely engagement in treatment, providers can significantly enhance the chances of successful recovery for individuals with substance use disorders.
Find more information about behavioral health HEDIS measures at www.ncqa.org/hedis/.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2024. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” HHS Publication No. PEP24-07-021-2024, NSDUH Series. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/
- Cunningham, P., Barnes, A., Mohamoud, S., et al. Follow-up after ED visits for opioid use disorder: Do they reduce future overdoses? Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Volume 142, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108807.
- Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Retrieved from www.ncqa.org.
- Magellan Healthcare, Follow-up care for substance use disorders can improve outcomes. Retrieved from: https://www.magellanpcptoolkit.com/media/107757/pcp-iet.pdf