As xylazine’s presence in illicit opioid supply continues to climb, Pittsburgh, Penn.-based UPMC clinicians have developed new hospital protocols to improve care for patients exposed to the sedative.
The protocols address complex withdrawal symptoms and severe skin wounds linked to xylazine, a drug increasingly turning up in toxicology screens, according to an April 17 news release from the system.
The protocols were developed by a multidisciplinary team that included specialists in addiction medicine, emergency care, toxicology, psychiatry and surgery.
The new guidelines, published April 15 in the Substance Use and Addiction Journal, provide clinicians with a step-by-step approach to implement from hospital admission through discharge.
The initiative also includes educational resources for patients focused on wound care and harm reduction.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.