Analyzing a Current Healthcare Problem
Jessica A. Schroeder
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Capella University
NHS-FPX4000 Developing the Healthcare Perspective
Mrs. Teresa Goodman
August 2022 2
Analyzing a Current Healthcare Problem
Each day approximately 130 people in the U.S. die from an opioid overdose. Despite the availability of evidence-based medication that treats opioid use disorder (OUD), fewer than 1% of jails and prisons in the US supply access to these medications. (Mace, Siegler, Wu, Latimore, & Flynn , 2020) Maternal opioid use is on the rise in jails and prisons, and the lack of access to adequate healthcare has led pregnant women to be forced into opioid withdrawals, increasing their risk for relapse and overdose within the first two weeks of being released. (SAMHSA: Criminal Justice System, 2019) The recommendations proven effective in preventing opioid overdose deaths are medications to treat OUD (MOUD) or Medication-Assisted Treatment MAT. (Mace, Siegler, Wu, Latimore, & Flynn , 2020) Barriers that hinder jails and prisons from
implementing the MAT program include lack of knowledge and value in the treatment program, discriminatory attitudes, prescribing regulations, transportation, and costs. (King, Latkin, & Sufrin, 2021) Knowledge is the solution to getting the MAT program into jails and prisons; with knowledge comes an understanding of the disease, the value, and importance of the program, and
a less judgmental perception of people with OUD.
Describe the Healthcare Problem
Rapidly Growing Problem and a Lack of Knowledge
Problem The problem is that pregnant women with OUD are not offered the evidence-based and standard of care MAT program while incarcerated, increasing their risk of relapse and overdose after release. Pregnant women with OUD released back into the community are between 10 and 40 times more likely to die from an opioid overdose than the general American population- especially within a few weeks after reentering society.