Initiating Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder in the Emergency Department

The opioid crisis continues to affect individuals across the country, and requires a multifaceted approach to minimize the impact of this public health crisis. Through the chronic consumption of opioids, many individuals can become dependent on opioids and develop opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine/naloxone is the recommended treatment for patients living with opioid use disorder. The Emergency Strategic Clinical Network™ within Alberta Health Services is targeting the crisis through emergency departments by implementing a provincially standardized program. The Buprenorphine/Naloxone Initiation in Emergency Departments program includes screening for opioid use disorder, treatment initiation with the medication buprenorphine/naloxone, and providing rapid and reliable referrals to community clinics for titration and continuing patient care. This paper provides an overview of opioids, opioid use disorder, opioid agonist treatments such as buprenorphine/naloxone, and specifically details the program and protocol available in Alberta.