More than 83% of patients in the study completed multiple remote urine screenings within the first 30 days of entering treatment.
Telehealth urine screenings are an effective, accurate and easily accessible method for monitoring patients battling opioid use disorder, according to a new study published Friday in JAMA Health Forum.
The study, conducted by opioid addiction care provider Ophelia and led by company CMO Robin Williams, MD, found that more than 83% of the 3,395 patients living in 14 states who were involved in the two-year study completed multiple urine drug screenings (UDS) within the first 30 days of entering treatment. That number increased to 97.6% after 90 days and 99.7% after six months.
The patients self-administered a UDS off-screen during telehealth visits and clinicians visually inspected results and discussed them with the patient in real-time over video.
The validity of urine specimens was assessed by confirming that temperature, creatinine, nitrite, pH, oxidants, glutaraldehyde, and specific gravity were all within normal ranges, the study says.
Ophelia CEO / Founder Zack Gray says "the findings clearly show that remotely administered UDS is feasible and associated with low rates of unexpected results."
"This is consistent with the premise that long-standing and stringent requirements such as requiring in-person visits and frequent drug testing in order to receive buprenorphine can be relaxed without jeopardizing the quality or safety of care for most patients," he says.
Drug testing is common in opioid use disorder care mainly because of payer reimbursement mandates. However, patients frequently complain that the routine drug tests are invasive and demeaning.
"At Ophelia, we use drug testing to advance our patients' goals, not to drive revenue from payers," Gray says. "We've never disenrolled someone from our treatment program due to a positive drug test. Our clinical protocols encourage the use of UDS to help assess progress and guide the care team in treatment plan adjustments, foster open communication between patient and clinician, and monitor for buprenorphine diversion."
Gray says Ophelia plans additional studies to determine the efficacy and safety of telehealth-based opioid treatments.
“The findings clearly show that remotely administered UDS is feasible and associated with low rates of unexpected results.”
Zack Gray, CEO / Founder, Ophelia.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The patients self-administered a UDS off-screen during telehealth visits and clinicians visually inspected results and discussed them with the patient in real-time over video.
The validity of urine specimens was assessed by confirming that temperature, creatinine, nitrite, pH, oxidants, glutaraldehyde, and specific gravity were all within normal ranges.