A missed opportunity: underutilization of inpatient behavioral health services to reduce injection drug use sequelae in Florida

Abstract Background People who inject drugs (PWID) suffer high morbidity and mortality from injection related infections (IRI). The inpatient setting is an ideal opportunity to treat underlying substance use disorder (SUD), but it unclear how often this occurs. Objectives To quantify the utilization of behavioral health services for PWID during admissions IRI. Methods Data all hospital in Florida FY2017 were obtained Agency Healthcare Administration. Hospitalization IRI using a validated ICD-10 algorithm treatment was quantified ICD-10-Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) codes. Result Among 20,001 admissions, there 230 patients received as defined by ICD-10-PCS SAT codes SUD. Conclusions In state with large number IRI, only very small portion services. Increased efforts should be directed studying referral patterns among physicians other providers caring population increasing