Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment in ED with Opiate Use Disoder (OUD) Protocol

This document outlines our comprehensive protocol for addressing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) in the emergency department. It starts with identifying patients with OUD using the DSM5 checklist and assessing withdrawal symptoms using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). The treatment plan includes initiating buprenorphine, managing withdrawal symptoms, and guidelines for prescribing medication. The protocol emphasizes patient education, offering detailed handouts, and ensuring a smooth referral process for ongoing treatment, taking into account patients’ insurance status.

Refer to the document below for the detailed protocol:

If patient has a different SUD besides OUD, send an email to sud@utmb.edu with details of the case for a referral. Make sure to let patient know they should plan to follow-up with their PCP, but they may be called by the SUD treatment team.