Research Project
Community Based Wound Care for Persons Experiencing Opioid Use Disorder
- Start Date
- 2022-09-28
- End Date
- 2023-09-27
- Funding Source
- Washington Square Health Foundation, Incorporated
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) are at an increased risk for developing chronic wounds in addition to skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) which includes abscesses, and cellulitis. Healthcare access within the PWID community has been traditionally limited due to factors such as poverty, stigmatization, and fear of withdrawal. Consequently, chronic, and acute wounds are often left untreated, self-treated, or present to Emergency Departments. Clients experiencing low socioeconomic status and opioid use disorder (OUD) often have limited resources to properly care for wounds..The objective of this project is the continuation of a well-established wound care program within a Chicago-based syringe exchange. Funding is being sought to promote access to healthcare services for PWID through dispensing of basic wound care supplies and care. Approximately 20% of all clients served within our mobile and fixed clinic sites have the presence of an acute or chronic wound related.