Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105762

Namratha Swamy, PHD¹, Carolyn Lichtenstein, PhD¹, Arlene Stanton, PhD², Kristin Zempolich, MS¹, Danyelle Mannix³, and Brian T. Yates, PhD³. (1) Northrop Grumman Health Solutions, 2101 Gaither Road, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20850, 301-527-6658, Namratha.Swamy@ngc.com, (2) Division of Pharmacologic Therapies, Center Substance Abuse Treatment, Rm. 2-1069, One Choke Cherry Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, (3) Dept. of Psychology, American University, 4400 Mass. Ave., N.W., American University, Washington, DC 20016-8062

Accreditation for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) was implemented by SAMHSA/CSAT in 2001 with the intention of improving patient care and enhancing the ability of programs to exercise clinical judgment. This presentation describes findings from the SAMHSA/CSAT OTP Accreditation Evaluation, a multi-year study designed to assess OTPs' processes and costs associated with achieving and maintaining accreditation. It also examines OTPs' ability to maintain program changes in clinical and administrative practices made in response to undergoing accreditation, and assesses the effects of these changes on patients and staff. The study is scheduled to conclude in September 2005.

The Evaluation involves a survey of all (approximately 1,100) OTPs that elicits information about the resources used by programs to prepare for accreditation and undergo the accreditation survey, the services provided by OTPs, the costs associated with providing these services, and staff perceptions of the accreditation process. Survey data is supplemented by more detailed information obtained from an in-depth study of a sample of 23 OTPs. Data collected from this sample: (1) provides qualitative data to assist in the interpretation of quantitative findings; (2) contributes patients' and community members' perspectives; and (3) enables the validation of critical self-report data from the OTP Questionnaires completed by all OTPs.

In particular, the presentation will (1) discuss the representativeness of OTP respondents, (2) describe differences in activities, costs, services, and patient perceptions across subgroups of OTPs, and (3) identify areas that appear to present challenges as well as benefits to OTPs seeking accreditation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

(
• describe the key features of the OTP Accreditation Evaluation design, (
• identify the methodological issues and challenges confronted by the evaluation team, and (
• describe the impact of accreditation on the OTPs’ staff, patients, and daily operations.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation