Iteration 2
(2021 – 2022)
Working together with the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality (BHCSQ) and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), the program team invited 57 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to join this part of the program. We also worked with a statewide group of experts to help us plan the program materials. This group had helped us in the past and gave feedback during this new phase. They helped us make a toolkit, a list of important skills, training materials, and a plan for how to use them.
The program team improved the MOUD in LTC Toolkit from the first round by adding information about people who also use stimulants and by making a Spanish version. We also turned this into an online training that people can complete on their own and earn continuing education units (CEUs). The updated toolkit and training link were given to all 57 facilities and shared with other LTCFs too.
Homes that had already cared for residents with opioid use disorder (OUD) got extra training and support through phone calls, emails, posters, virtual visits, and peer-to-peer learning sessions. These sessions helped homes learn from each other and were held as three online webinars and one in-person event in three places in Massachusetts.
Homes with little or no experience with OUD were invited to a virtual Mentoring Session, where three homes shared how they care for residents with these needs. The team collected both opinions and data to see how the program helped. We also worked with BHCSQ to share the toolkit and training materials with other care homes by posting them on their website.
Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 still caused problems for care homes in Massachusetts during Year 2 of the MOUD program. Homes were dealing with new virus cases and not enough staff. Because of this, some program events had fewer people join. To keep homes interested during slow times, we sent them helpful posters with important tips.
Materials
MOUD in LTC Toolkit (English and Spanish)
Self-paced training
Peer to Peer Trainings
Infographics