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Syringe Exchange Programs And Emergency Department Use For Drug Overdoses In Kentucky, Timothy Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

In 2015, syringe exchange programs (SEPs) were legalized in Kentucky as part of a response to the high and rising morbidity and mortality associated with injection drug use, particularly opioids. In addition to their primary function of preventing the spread of some infectious diseases by providing injection drug users (IDUs) with easy access to sterile injection equipment, SEPs may also offer ancillary services such as referrals to primary care providers and substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as safe injection education and naloxone training. These ancillary services are intended to improve the overall health of IDUs and the …

Dalbavancin In The Community Emergency Department, Wesley Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Introduction

Dalbavancin is an antibiotic within the class of medications known as lipoglycopeptides. This medication is given to patients presenting to the hospital with acute skin and skin-structure infections (ABSSSI). This is a unique medication because it is given as a one-time dose in the outpatient setting and it could prevent patients from requiring admission to the hospital.

Methods

The emergency department (ED) at Good Samaritan community hospital performed a trial period with dalbavancin and data was collected from November 2018 to March 2020. Retrospective chart review was performed to obtain patient data and outcomes. Patients would be contacted by …