Transcript Vivitrol - Advancing Recovery

Jessica Bass, LCSW, CAC III, Program Manager
Outpatient and Offender Services
Arapahoe House
AIM (Plan)
• Baseline use of Vivitrol was 0
Limited referrals for any MAT; some use of antabuse
for alcohol dependent clients.
• Goal was to increase use of Vivitrol in Intensive
Residential Treatment (IRT) program for clients
stepping down into outpatient
• Started screening clients in February 2009
Change (Do)
Barrier → Clinician lack of knowledge/bias
towards MAT
• Surveyed staff to find out knowledge and comfort level with MAT
• Provided training on the benefits of MAT and Vivitrol specifically
• Incorporated education on MAT into clinical supervision groups
Barrier → Lack of agency procedures for
screening clients and delivering Vivitrol
• Started screening all alcohol dependent clients for appropriateness
for Vivitrol
• Enhanced education around Vivitrol and other MAT in client
residential curriculum
• Got donation of Vivitrol from Alkermes; arranged for doctor/nurse to
see clients
• Creating reports to track when clients are due for their next dosage
• Improved coordination between IRT and OP staff as clients transition
RESULTS (study)
• Screening all alcohol dependant clients in
IRT
• 15 clients have started on Vivitrol since
March 09
• OP clients are beginning to get screened
and 2 have started on Vivitrol
• Clients are reporting high levels of
satisfaction!
NEXT STEPS (Act)
• Continue to educate staff and client
• Develop stable funding sources
– Utilize patient assistance program through
– More education/advocacy needed on cost-benefit
of paying for MAT → Outreach to private insurers
– Increase Medicaid utilization; formed change team
with provider and Medicaid representatives to
resolve barriers around licensure and billing
issues
– Working with child welfare and other referral
sources to educate on the benefits of MAT and get
these services added to contracts
IMPACT (Business Case, Lessons Learned)
Arapahoe House Vision
• All types of MAT fully integrated into treatment for
clients at all levels of care
• Finding sustainable payer sources
• Network of providers to collaborate with for
prescribing medication
Lessons Learned
• Need to keep up with new medications and
constantly educate staff about the landscape of
options
• Need to continue dispelling myths about MAT for
clients