Recognizing the presentation of a nonfatal overdose in the emergency department (ED) as a vital touchpoint to provide evidence-based interventions, Project POINT (Planned Outreach, Intervention, Naloxone, and Treatment) began in 2015 as a quality improvement initiative at the Eskenazi Emergency Department in collaboration with Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Midtown Mental Health, and researchers at Indiana University. The model has been replicated in other ED's in Indianapolis.

A member of the POINT team (a recovery coach or care coordinator with specialized training) meets with patients after they have presented to the ED with an opioid overdose. Following a model of patient-centered care, team members offer a range of evidence-based services including a brief assessment of high-risk behaviors, Hepatitis C and HIV testing, harm reduction counseling informed by motivational interviewing, and treatment referrals with follow-up to either a provider for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), detoxification services, or an inpatient treatment setting. 

This program aims to build off of previous ED-initiated interventions by adding recovery coaches to increase long-term engagement in treatment and other services. 

The goals of Project POINT are: 

• Increase access to naloxone among high risk patients
• Provide a brief intervention and harm reduction information
• Link people to treatment and other services
• Investigate barriers to accessing treatment
• Collect data
• Use data to improved services in the ED and linkage to care

More detailed information on the program and contact information can be found in presentations here and here and here. 

Project POINT is currently involved in a clinical trial and has been described in the peer-reviewed literature. The program has also had a preliminary evaluation.