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Using Near Real-time Data to Enhance Coordinated Community Responses to Opioid Overdose
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services funded a pilot project in Kent County, Michigan to determine how near real-time suspected non-fatal and fatal opioid overdose data, through the use of SOS data reports and the web-based dashboard, can be used to improve planning, implementation, and responses to opioid overdoses. The project was conducted by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention-funded University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center.
This year long mixed methods project proceeded by convening community stakeholders involved in opioid overdose response and prevention efforts prevention efforts in Kent County, MI. Throughout the project, stakeholder feedback and data usage practices were elicited through a combination of focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and surveys.
Through input from local content experts, we determined our stakeholder group with representation from communities across Kent County. The community stakeholder group was comprised of individuals and organizations working in four sectors of the county.
Primary Project Activities
Baseline Stakeholder Interviews & Focus Group
Weekly SOS Reports Distributed for 2 months & 1 feedback survey
Final Stakeholder Interviews & Focus Group
Creation of Community Toolkit on Promising Strategies
Qualitative Coding & Analysis
Key Stakeholders
Public health stakeholders included individuals working in a cross-sector organization designed to support and improve the health of Kent County residents
Public safety stakeholders were made up of local Kent County police and EMS first responders
Treatment provider stakeholders were composed of in- and out-patient substance use disorder treatment facility workers
Community outreach stakeholders included representatives from organizations working in community naloxone distribution, basic necessities support, and harm reduction services and training
Interviewing Stakeholders, Reporting Findings, and Enhancing Overdose Response
Stakeholders convened for an initial focus group and individual 1-on-1 interviews to identify: 1) How near real-time suspected opioid overdose reports can be used to inform prevention and response, 2) Barriers to prevention and response, and 3) Effective methods to coordinate a community-level response strategy.
Stakeholders then received near real-time suspected opioid overdose reports from SOS for their jurisdiction on a weekly basis for eight weeks, and their feedback was solicited over time through a feedback survey. Community stakeholders received city-wide as well as county-wide reports. A final focus group and final one-on-one interviews emphasized the mobilization of data-driven coordinated community opioid overdose responses.
All stakeholder engagement was conducted virtually via the video conferencing platform Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding Disclosures
Research reported herein was supported by a grant to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Number NU90TP921987 and a grant to the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Award Number R49-CE-002099 andR49-CE-003085 . The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Acknowledgements
This toolkit was developed by members of the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center in collaboration with individuals and organizations participating in opioid overdose response and prevention efforts in Kent County. We would like to give special thanks to the organizations who participated in the community stakeholder group without whose contributions this work would not be possible.