In New England, a New Urgent Care Approach to Fighting Opioid Abuse

Boston Medical Center has launched a new concept in both urgent care and the fight against opioid abuse by opening an opioid urgent care center that aims to give patients faster access to substance abuse treatment. Faster Paths to Treatment will be operated in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which provided a 4-year, $2.9 million grant, and the Boston Public Health Commission. It will offer inpatient and outpatient services to help individuals with detoxification and follow-up care. A patient who walks in to the outpatient facility can be seen by a physician, an addiction nurse, and a counselor. From that point, a decision can be made whether the patient needs to be admitted or should be referred to a maintenance programs at their local community health centers, or at Boston Medical Center. (For more updates on responsible pain management in urgent care, visit the on the Acute Pain Resource Center JUCM website.)