TABLE 3.
Discharge care after ED BUP administration (n = 31 site protocols)
| # of site protocols | % of site protocols | |
|---|---|---|
| a) Policy for low COWS score | 22 | 71% |
| Discharge from ED for home induction | 12 | 39% |
| Hold in ED until COWS score increases | 3 | 10% |
| Both discharge and hold in ED | 7 | 23% |
| b) Home induction instructions provided | 12 | 39% |
| c) Buprenorphine prescription at discharge | 28 | 90% |
| 4 mg | 2 | 6% |
| 8 mg | 4 | 13% |
| 12 mg | 2 | 6% |
| 16 mg | 21 | 68% |
| 24 mg | 3 | 10% |
| 32 mg | 3 | 10% |
| Depends on ED dose/Other | 4 | 13% |
| d) Naloxone provided and/or prescribed | 23 | 74% |
| e) Harm reduction education | 5 | 16% |
Number of sites with guidelines related to discharge care instructions: (a) policy for low COWS score, (b) provision of home BUP induction instructions, (c) BUP prescription at discharge (note that some site protocols allowed several dosages to be prescribed at discharge), (d) naloxone for overdose prevention, and (e) harm reduction education.