Research Report Potential Cost Savings Associated with Providing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Substance Use Disorder in Emergency Departments: Rapid Review
Lisa Clemans-Cope, Sarah Benatar, Marni Epstein, Nikhil Holla
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This report provides a rapid review of evidence on the potential cost savings associated with providing screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) related to alcohol and drug use in emergency departments (EDs). Over approximately two weeks, the research team synthesized available peer-reviewed evidence using a comprehensive search strategy of literature published after 2010, deeming eight eligible studies for inclusion. Taken as a whole, the eight studies suggest that these programs can be cost effective, although cost-related findings appear to be sensitive to factors, including the type of clinical worker performing each task and patient characteristics. More rigorous evaluation is needed, particularly of new programs that include initiation of evidence-based SUD treatment in the ED.

Research and Evidence Health Policy
Expertise Health Care Coverage, Access, and Affordability
Tags Health equity Hospitals and physicians Behavioral health