Quality Improvement Projects

The methadone prescribing algorithm for emergency department settings was created in January 2022, as part of the Cooper University Health Care Emergency Department Addiction Pathways Program (learn more here at graf nine). The algorithm was written by our 2022 Cooper University Health Care Addiction Medicine Fellow, Samantha Huo, MD; designed by the Center for Healing Content Manager, Patricia Fortunato; and clinically overseen by the Center for Healing Medical Director, Rachel Haroz, MD, FAACT.

In March 2023, the algorithm was published as part of a case series authored by Dr. Huo and team in the Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Please download and share the algorithm.

Abbreviations

• EDAP, Emergency Department Addiction Pathways
• OUD, opioid use disorder
• MOUD, medication for opioid use disorder
• MMT, methadone maintenance treatment
• OTP, outpatient treatment program
• QTc,corrected QT interval
• NEXT Distro, Needle EXchange Technology
• SNJMATCOE, Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence
• MAT, medication for addiction treatment
• SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• SUD, substance use disorder

Our fellows and Center for Healing medical specialists and interdisciplinary clinical team and content manager collaborate to create quality improvement (QI)-focused prescriber education and health communication resources for center physicians, advanced practice providers, clinicians, patients, and throughout the Cooper University Health Care system, in addition to community-based, state, and national prescriber education initiatives.

Select examples of collaborations and Center for Healing prescriber education resources for center, system, community-based, state, and national initiatives include the following:

• Cesar B, Fortunato P, Haroz R. Bridge to Safety (B2S) Program Algorithm for Emergency Medicine. Center for Healing. 2022.
• Jones I, Fortunato P, Baston K. E. Substance Use Disorder Language Guide for Clinical Teams. Center for Healing, Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence. 2022. (learn more here)
• Fortunato P, Baston K. E. Fentanyl Fast Facts Guide for Prescribers. Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence. 2022. (learn more here)
• Fortunato P, Haroz R. Narcotics to Naloxone: Promoting Productive Policies: An Evidence-Based Summary of Opioid-Related Policies and Harm Reduction Strategies. Center for Healing, Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence. 2021.

Select examples of collaborations and Center for Healing health communication resources for center, system, community-based, state, and national initiatives include the following:

• Fortunato P, Jones I, Wilson L, Baston K. E. Perinatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders Health Communication for Patients. Center for Healing. 2023. (learn more here)
• Durkin B, Fortunato P, Baston K. E. Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorder Health Communication for Patients. Center for Healing, Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence. 2022. (learn more here)
• Haroz R, Milburn C, Fortunato P, Baston K. E. Buprenorphine Micro-Induction Algorithm for Patients. Center for Healing, Southern NJ MAT Center of Excellence. 2022. (learn more here)