Opioid Treatment Induction Support

OTIS

In January of 2023, TLCC partnered with Washoe County to create the OTIS program, which is a groundbreaking method of tackling the fentanyl epidemic among Washoe County residents.

Fentanyl poses a significant health threat to the community and is the cause of increased early discharge from treatment, decreased rates of medication compliance, and higher rates of continued substance use during treatment.

The OTIS team helps our clients through the initial phase of recovery from fentanyl, guiding them each step of the way along their path to sobriety and recovery. TLCC has seen incredible results since this program started.

Nurse's hand holds a pen between two fingers and rests reassuringly on top of patient's hand

The targets of the program are

Medication compliance
Treatment retention
Sobriety — Sobriety is defined as taking the prescribed medications with no UDS positive for illicit or non-prescribed drugs or medications.

Outcomes to date

OTIS patients taking their medications daily: 90.61% (compared to 60.15% of the control group)

OTIS patients remaining in treatment at 6-months: 80.43% (compared to 36.48% of the control group)

OTIS patients' ability to stop using Fentanyl: 31.23% (compared to 30.03% of the control group)

Time period and control group: All patients who were fentanyl positive at intake between January 1, 2023, and May 31, 2023 that did not have access to the OTIS program.

Definition of OTIS: Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) and Nursing staff work closely with TLCC clients to provide additional support throughout the first 30 days of recovery from fentanyl. The OTIS Team provides peer and medical coaching with a focus on two targets: encouragement and engagement. Engagement efforts help with understanding the “why” of participating in treatment; why it helps and why it is worth it. Encouragement efforts help with understanding the “how” of making it through the induction phase.