Johns Hopkins University

Lead Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Status: Active

Research type: Mixed Methods Implementation and Cost-Effectiveness Study

Setting(s): Three state prison systems

PI: Sachini Bandara

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Evaluating a Novel Approach to Dispensing Methadone in Carceral Facilities

The study examines a new SAMHSA rule that allows prisons and jails registered as hospital/clinic facilities to stock and dispense methadone to patients who have both opioid use disorder and another health condition. Three state prison systems plan to adopt this approach and participate in a collaborative learning program to support implementation. Researchers will track progress and challenges through surveys and interviews and analyze health records to see how in-prison methadone availability affects treatment initiation, continuity before release, and post-release outcomes such as continued treatment and hospitalizations. They will also assess the costs and financial impact of the hospital/clinic model compared with relying on methadone from opioid treatment programs

Study Aims

Engage early implementers in a learning collaborative to improve reach, adoption, and implementation of the hospital/clinic designation

Identify the effect of the hospital/clinic designation on initiation and retention for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment during incarceration

Examine the effect of the hospital/clinic designation on post-release care for opioid use disorder and chronic health conditions

Calculate the financial impact of carceral methadone treatment delivered via the hospital/clinic designation.

Principal Investigator

profile-sachini-bandara

Sachini Bandara, PhD

Johns Hopkins University

MPI

Brendan Saloner
Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice

Brendan Saloner, PhD

Brown University