NYC hospital system adopts revolutionary addiction treatment
New York City’s public hospital system is set to introduce a groundbreaking addiction treatment program at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx. This initiative, known as the “Hotspotting” program, has proven to be highly successful in reducing overdose deaths on Staten Island and will now be implemented thanks to a generous $660,000 grant from the Robin Hood Foundation.
The Hotspotting model involves connecting patients being treated for opioid use in the emergency department at Lincoln Hospital with a dedicated care team. This team consists of community health workers and peer counselors who will provide support and connect patients to addiction services, medical care, community resources, welfare benefits, and housing for up to a year following discharge from the hospital. Patients will also be given a cell phone and service contact to help them stay connected to care.
The program at Lincoln Hospital aims to assist approximately 150 substance abusers who are at high risk of relapse. A study conducted on the Hotspotting program at Northwell Health’s Staten Island Performing Provider System, in collaboration with MIT, revealed significant outcomes. Among 612 participants, there were only two fatal overdoses compared to 14 deaths among 1,089 addicts not engaged in the program. Additionally, there was a 36% reduction in non-fatal overdoses and a 63% reduction in substance use disorder-related ER visits for those in the program.
Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of Health + Hospitals, emphasized the need for innovative support for patients with opioid use disorder in light of the increasing potency of opioids in New York City. The program is designed to provide follow-up care for patients at Lincoln Hospital for up to a year after receiving treatment for opioid addiction.
Fatal overdoses in New York City have seen a significant increase since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Bronx having the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the city. Patients who have experienced a nonfatal overdose are at a heightened risk of succumbing to an overdose in the future, underscoring the urgency of programs like Hotspotting.
Staten Island Performing Provider System (SIPPS) executive director Joseph Conte expressed pride in partnering with NYC Health + Hospitals to implement the Hotspotting Program, particularly in addressing the opioid crisis prevalent in black and Latino communities like the South Bronx.
Dr. Daniel Schatz, Health + Hospital’s medical director of substance use disorder services, highlighted the importance of the Hotspotting program in providing continuity of care for patients transitioning from the hospital to the community setting. The program aims to keep patients connected to healthcare and addiction services, ultimately improving outcomes for those struggling with substance abuse.
Overall, the introduction of the Hotspotting program at Lincoln Hospital signifies a significant step towards addressing the opioid crisis in New York City and providing much-needed support for individuals battling addiction.
