Approaches to Treating Serious Infection in People Who Inject Drugs: Evidence and Policies

This review looks at evidence and program models for alternatives to hospitalization to treat serious infections in people who inject drugs. The report analyzes evidence for the effectiveness of treatment strategies that do not rely on long term hospital stays for antibiotic treatment and describes 3 program models implemented at hospitals in Birmingham, Alabama; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Portland, Oregon. It also includes a discussion of Medicaid programs that support individuals with substance use disorders and how these programs may be adapted to serve individuals with serious infections who inject drugs.