This lightning talk outlines how a correctional system serving 3,500 incarcerated individuals across five adult facilities uses telehealth to rapidly expand access to medications for opioid use disorder. Patients are identified at intake by nursing personnel, and most are evaluated by providers the following day via telehealth. Emergent cases are prioritized for immediate evaluation. This model has contributed to decreased naloxone use, overdoses, and overdose-related deaths, demonstrating that telehealth behind bars can save lives.

Educational Objectives

• Describe a telehealth-enabled workflow for evaluating and initiating MOUD within 24 hours of booking
• Identify strategies to manage emergent withdrawal cases and improve patient access using telehealth
• Explain how telehealth reduces in-custody overdoses, naloxone use, and overdose-related deaths

Level: Intermediate