Project 466968

Background: Canadas overdose epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic are intersecting public health emergencies that place people who use opioids at extreme risk of negative outcomes. These syndemic events are having a devastating impact on Emergency Departments (EDs), which act as a primary health system touchpoint for people who use opioids. Though many hospitals have recently enhanced opioid-related supports in EDs, COVID-19-related pressures may have unintentionally undermined progress in providing equitable ED care to people who use opioids.Objectives: The proposed research will 1) describe how COVID-19 has impacted opioid-related ED presentations during the pandemic and explore patient-identified causes for observed trends; and 2) describe how COVID-19 has impacted patient-reported experiences and satisfaction with opioid-related ED care.Methods: In partnership with patients with lived experience, this mixed method study draws on administrative health data and semi-structured interviews with 30 adult patients who use opioids and have recently accessed the ED at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Edmonton or the Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC) in Calgary. Study 1 will conduct an interrupted time series analysis of trends in opioid-related ED presentations and care utilization at the RAH and PLC EDs prior to and during the pandemic period. Study 2 will elicit patient views on observed trends in opioid-related care and the impacts of COVID-19 on ED patient care experiences.Significance: This study aims to establish patient-identified policy or practice recommendations that can improve satisfaction with ED care for people who use opioids, enable patient-centered modification(s) to the pandemic response, and inform future pandemic plans.