Staff perspectives on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of emergency department care for patients who use opioids.

purposeThe COVID-19 pandemic and Canada's drug poisoning crisis placed exceptional demands on emergency departments (ED). We aimed to explore the impact of these intersecting crises from the perspectives of ED staff to understand how EDs can improve care and protect the health and well-being of patients who use opioids, ED staff, and healthcare providers.

methodsWe conducted a focused ethnographic study involving 29 semi-structured interviews with ED staff who cared for patients who use opioids during the pandemic. Interviews explored ED staff perspectives on how the pandemic impacted care for patients who use opioids and how EDs can better serve this population. We conducted latent content analysis and main theme generation was informed by the socioecological model.

resultsFour main themes emerged. First, there was a change in patient behaviors, which impacted provider-patient relationships. Second, hospital pandemic policies and resource limitations created new barriers to care. Third, community service alterations, including the shift to virtual care and uncertain availability of services, further complicated patient care. Finally, participants highlighted opportunities to strengthen systems of care, including enhanced hospital addiction resources, improved addiction care training, expanded harm reduction services, and more robust community services.

conclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant changes in ED care delivery for patients who use opioids. Efforts to enhance EDs should include anticipating the needs of people who use substances and the healthcare providers who care for them to mitigate unintended harm and ensure a more resilient healthcare system.