Addiction & Overdose

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About

Information for

Rhode Island Data

Programs

Regulations

Publications

Partners

Acute Treatment and Stabilization for Overdose and Opioid Use Disorder

The Levels of Care for Rhode Island Emergency Departments and Hospitals for Treating Overdose and Opioid Use Disorder establish a common foundation for treating opioid use disorder and overdose in Rhode Island hospitals and Emergency Departments based on a three-level system of categorization. All Emergency Departments and hospitals in Rhode Island are required to meet the criteria for Level 3 facilities. A facility can apply for a higher designation as the capacity to treat opioid use disorder and overdose develops. Hospitals and emergency departments are certified based on initial self-assessments and follow-up evaluations by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals.

What hospitals must do to become certified

Level of Care 3

  • Follow discharge planning per law
  • Administer standardized substance use disorder screening for all patients
  • Educate all patients who are prescribed opioids on safe storage and disposal
  • Dispense naloxone to patients at risk, according to clear protocol
  • Offer peer recovery support services
  • Provide active referral to appropriate community provider(s)
  • Comply with 48-hour reporting of overdose to the Rhode Island Department of Health
  • Perform laboratory drug screening that includes fentanyl on patients who overdose

Level of Care 2 meets all criteria of Level 3 and

  • Conduct comprehensive, standardized substance use assessment
  • Maintain capacity for evaluation and treatment of opioid use disorder using support from addiction specialty services.

Level of Care 1 meets Criteria of Level 3 and Level 2 and

  • Maintain a Center of Excellence or comparable arrangement for initiating, stabilizing, and re-stabilizing patients on medication assisted treatment
    • Ensures transitioning to/from community care to facilitate recovery
    • Evaluates and manages Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)