Overdose Task Force to Release New Opioid-Use Disorder Treatment Standards for Hospitals and Emergency Departments

As a part of statewide efforts to prevent overdoses and save lives, Governor Gina
Raimondo’s Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force will be releasing a set
of rigorous, comprehensive standards for the treatment of opioid-use disorder in
hospitals and emergency departments tomorrow. These will be the first set of
statewide standards in the country.

Developed with input from hospital and emergency department leadership throughout
Rhode Island, the standards will, among other things, require comprehensive
discharge planning for individuals who have opioid-use disorder and ensure that
patients are screened for substance-use disorder. The standards will establish three
designations for hospitals based on their current levels of preparedness to respond
to and treat patients with substance-use disorder.