Resources For Providers
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) patients are not the only ones who need resources and support. The programs below equip providers to meet the challenge of OUD cases in impactful ways.
Tulane University's Project ECHO connects providers with specialists through ongoing, interactive, tele-mentoring sessions.
OBH, utilizing the Hub and Spoke model to address opioid use disorder (OUD), partners with Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center to coordinate evidence-based treatment services with the Hubs, Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), and Spokes, Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) providers, Local Governing Entities (LGEs) and other local providers.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center provides Spoke Care Teams (SCTs) to serve as liaisons to the Hubs and Spokes. SCTs provide assistance to the Spokes, such as screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), assessments, care coordination, and data collection. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center also utilizes Addiction Psychiatry Fellows to provide consultation to Spoke providers.
The broad goal of these efforts is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the workforce that does or will provide MOUD. To ensure state coverage, addiction psychiatry fellows provide consultation virtually, especially in rural areas. Recruitment efforts for Spokes focus on geographical regions in high need areas service providers who provide services to target populations.
Providers who are interested in serving as an OBOT may find out more information here.
A library of on-demand CME courses centered around opioids. The course are designed for physicians, nurses, LPCs and social workers.
Rather than prescribing pain killers, such as opioids, to treat a patient's pain, consider alternative treatments that can often provide pain relief without the risk that comes with opioids. Alternatives to consider include:
- Acupuncture
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- Massage Therapy
- Nerve Blockers
- Over-The-Counter Medications
- Physical Therapy
Safe Disposal
There are several ways to dispose of unused or expired medicines safely. Direct your patients to dropbox locations across the state or you can have them request a Deterra® Drug Deactivation pouch or container that deactivates all organic medications, including opioids. These are available for free by contacting your Local Governing Entity (LGE) Regional Office. Learn about the many safe disposal options for your patients.
Naloxone hydrocholoride, also known by the brand name Narcan®, is a prescription medicine that can be used on someone for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Learn about Louisiana's standing order that makes naloxone available to anyone without a prescription at local pharmacies. Learn more about Naloxone and how to use the medicine.
Help your patients find treatment services and resources near them for opioid use disorder. Using an interactive map, you, patients or family members can search by parish or ZIP Code to discover the treatment services and resources available near them. Depending on where they live, services available include:
- Office-based Opioid Treatment (OBOT)
- Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
- Inpatient / Outpatient Services
If you have questions about addressing the mental health needs of your pregnant and postpartum patients, call the Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line (PPCL) at 1-833-721-2881 to talk to a mental health expert.
The Louisiana Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line (PPCL) is a no-cost provider-to-provider telephone consultation and education program designed to help pediatric and perinatal health care providers address their patients' behavioral and mental health needs.
Providers can call 1-833-721-2881 Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm, to speak directly with a licensed mental health professional who can respond to questions about behavioral health and behavioral health resources within the community, and, when necessary, connect the provider to a psychiatrist.
Providers can also request a consultation online and access useful behavioral health related trainings and educational materials on PPCL’s website.
The Family Resource Center, while not specific to SUD, the BFH Family Resource Center can provide resources and referral support for Louisiana families, pediatric health providers, and individuals. The center works to ensure families receive timely linkage to resources and community programs, at no cost to families or providers.
Faith-based organizations play an important role in not only providing support to individuals about options to begin opioid recovery but also in helping educate their congregations about the danger of opioids. Building a partnership with faith-based organizations can help give individuals who are seeking help the best possible outcomes on their road to recovery. Learn how to grow partnerships with faith-based organizations with the Faith and Recovery Outreach Toolkit.