Q&A
Virtual buprenorphine clinic and telemedicine services
1:15:03
ยท
145 sec
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the status of H+H's virtual buprenorphine clinic that was offered during the pandemic, as well as current telemedicine services for addiction treatment. Dr. Schatz provides an update on these services and explains the limitations and opportunities in virtual addiction care.
- The original virtual buprenorphine clinic started at Bellevue Hospital during the pandemic
- The clinic still exists but is now primarily focused on Bellevue patients
- Each H+H facility can provide virtual services for addiction treatment, including telephonic and video appointments
- Virtual Express Care has replaced the virtual buprenorphine clinic, offering 24/7 coverage more efficiently
- Limitations on virtual care for certain medications:
- Methadone can only be provided at licensed opioid treatment programs and requires in-person assessment
- VIVITROL (intramuscular naltrexone) requires in-person injection
- H+H continues to explore new initiatives and opportunities to improve virtual addiction care services
Mercedes Narcisse
1:15:03
I'm gonna ask the last question so I can pass it to my colleague.
1:15:06
During the height of the pandemic, H and H offered a virtual, this word is always getting me.
1:15:14
Proprimorphine, Suboxone, clinic that offers harm reduction care for patients virtually.
1:15:22
Allowing them to participate in a flexible setting.
1:15:25
Is this clinic still offered?
1:15:28
If so, what services are available through them?
1:15:31
How does HNA determine which patients are eligible to be served by the virtual burp clinic?
1:15:40
If there's a reason as to why methadone and VIVITROL are not offered or why methadone patients cannot be accepted to these clinics.
Dr. Daniel Schatz
1:15:52
Deeply appreciate the question and the opportunity to talk about the virtual buprenorphine clinic.
UNKNOWN
1:15:56
Mhmm.
1:15:56
Although
Dr. Daniel Schatz
1:15:57
that throws us back into the pandemic, I was, the one who started that clinic at Bellevue.
1:16:02
It was an exciting opportunity where we're all learning about the virtual treatment of addiction.
1:16:06
It was really exciting to learn about the flexibility that can be provided at these services.
1:16:11
And to answer your question about if it still exists, it does, but it's mostly for Bellevue patients because that's where it was focused.
1:16:17
Each individual facility and their addiction services can provide virtual services, and they do, whether it's telephonic or video.
1:16:24
The replacement for virtual Buick Clinic is now Virtual Express Care because that allowed us to more efficiently, provide care in 247 coverage.
1:16:33
That was not something we were staffed to do at the virtual Bupe
UNKNOWN
1:16:37
Clinic.
Dr. Daniel Schatz
1:16:37
To your questions about methadone, methadone is a specific licensed medication that could only be provided at opioid treatment programs and need to have directly observed taking of the methadone and the dispensing of any take home.
1:16:49
So you need an in person assessment.
1:16:51
That doesn't mean we can't have virtual, meetings and appointments in between, but we can't, dispense the medication throughout that.
1:16:58
VIVITROL or intramuscular naltrexone is a medication that it it's an injection, so you need to come in person for it.
Mercedes Narcisse
1:17:06
Where would HNA direct funds from to maintain the clinic's availability?
Dr. Daniel Schatz
1:17:12
I I would have to get back to you on that.
1:17:15
We have lots of ideas and exciting, initiatives and, you know, we're seeing what's working, more than not and where the gaps and opportunities are, of which there's a lot.
1:17:23
Alright.
1:17:23
I
UNKNOWN
1:17:24
think you
Mercedes Narcisse
1:17:24
have enough of me.
1:17:25
Let me pass it on to my colleagues.
1:17:27
Thanks.