Publications by authors named "Alaina R Steck"

Introduction: Emergency department (ED)-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs can improve access to substance use disorder treatment (SUD) for ED patients. As literature on early stages of PRC implementation is limited, we conducted a qualitative assessment of ED PRC program implementation from several US-based PRC programs focusing on barriers and facilitators for implementation and providing recommendations based on the findings.

Methods: We collected qualitative data from 39 key informants (peer recovery coaches, PRC program managers, ED physicians and staff, representatives of community-based organizations) via 6 focus groups and 21 interviews in February-December 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Many patients suffer from complex pain after orthopedic injuries and are at risk of long-term opioid use, highlighting the need for better pain management strategies in trauma care.
  • The study investigates whether personalized pain education and management from coaches can improve pain symptoms, reduce opioid use, and enhance patient-reported outcomes, compared to standard written discharge instructions.
  • Conducted from February 2021 to September 2022, the trial involved 212 patients and assessed the effectiveness of coaching on pain management after orthopedic surgery, focusing on a diverse patient population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To evaluate the association between medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation and addiction consultation and outcomes for patients hospitalized with infectious complications of injecting opioids.

Method: This was a retrospective cohort study performed at four academic medical centers in the United States. The participants were patients who had been hospitalized with infectious complications of injecting opioids in 2018.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an anti-oxidant found in many over-the-counter supplements and is used in treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Although it is a safe oral molecule, there have been eight cases of ALA toxicity reported. Three reported cases were among adult patients and five were among pediatric patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Cyanide (CN) toxicity commonly occurs during enclosed-space fires. Historically, the first step in treating CN toxicity utilized amyl nitrite and sodium nitrite to induce methemoglobinemia, which can be dangerous in this population. Hydroxocobalamin (OHCob), which binds to CN to form the nontoxic metabolite cyanocobalamin, is now the first-line antidote for CN toxicity, and has the advantage of not inducing methemoglobinemia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Deaths due to an opioid overdose nearly doubled from 2013 to 2017. Our objective is to describe the trends in intent, healthcare resource use, and clinical outcomes among adults with opioid exposures.

Materials And Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of data from the 55 U.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Bongkrekic acid (BA) has a unique mechanism of toxicity among the mitochondrial toxins: it inhibits adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) rather than the electron transport chain. Bongkrekic acid is produced by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans (B. cocovenenans) which has been implicated in outbreaks of food-borne illness involving coconut- and corn-based products in Indonesia and China.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Since 2009, synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use has emerged as a growing public health threat in the United States (US). Several outbreaks of unexpected, severe toxicity linked to SC use have been reported since 2012. Reports of varied and significant morbidity after SC use are expected to increase because newer compounds enter the marketplace more frequently as manufacturers attempt to circumvent regulatory efforts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF