Caring for Families Coping with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Rhode Island Considerations

Program Description:

Since the 1990s, the rate of opioid use disorder (OUD) by pregnant women has been on the rise along with a corresponding increase in the incidence of infants born with neonatal absence syndrome (NAS). Data from the Centers of Disease Control estimates over a fifteen year period a 300% increase in NAS, from 1.5 per 1,000 hospital births in 1999, to 6.0 per 1,000 hospital births in 2013. In Rhode Island, the incidence of infants born with neonatal NAS has doubled since 2005, reaching a high of 106 per 10,000 births.

This program will provide an overview on NAS, present the challenges and strategies health care providers, health care systems, community and family service providers, and policy makers can take to help improve the continuum of care for mothers and NAS infants.

Participants will hear from the Director, Infant Wellness Initiatives & Ohio Better Birth Outcomes at Nationwide Children’s Hospital on how they have been tackling NAS and from local Medical Providers caring for mothers with OUD and their infants along with representatives from RIDOH and KIDSCOUNT. The program will also lend itself to a discussion on what strategies can be taken to improve outcomes for mothers with OUD infants and families in Rhode Island.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, attendees should be able to:

Increase the awareness of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and improve the identification of at risk mothers
Recognize the stigma associated with NAS, the importance of coordination of care and the role of social determinants of health as a crucial components to combating opioid addiction
Discuss strategies, models and collaboration along the continuum in partnership with local hospital system, community health center and substance abuse providers can help to improve the health and well-being of mothers with OUD, NAS infants and families.

Accreditation:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the RI Health Center Association. The Warren Alpert Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Target Audience:

Physicians, Psychologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses specializing in Primary Care and Pediatrics, Social Workers, Community and Family service providers and policy makers.

Credit Designation:

RI Specific: This training meets the requirements set forth in RI Regulation 3.14 Prescriber Training Requirement for Best Practices Regarding Opioid Prescribing. This specific training requirement is required only once and must be completed before renewal of controlled substance registration or two (2) years (whichever is longer).

Physicians: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Workers: An application for continuing education credits has been submitted to the NASW, RI Chapter. Determination of credits is pending.

Nurses: This activity has been submitted to the Northeast Multi-state Division for approval to award contact hours. The Northeast Multistate Division is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont Nurses Associations are members of the Northeast Multi-State Division of the American Nurses Association.

Other Allied Health Professionals: Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance stating this program is designated for 3.0 hours AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. This credit is accepted by the AAPA and AANP.

Faculty:

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, JD, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, Providence, RI

Kristine Campagna, MEd, Chief Program Development, Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, RI

Adam Cynski, DO Director, Newborn Service Team Attending Neonatologist, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI /Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI

Dr. Anupriya Gongne, MD, Site Director & Attending the Addiction Medicine Fellowship, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI

Yvonne Heredia, PhD, Manager of Care Management, Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, Smithfield, RI

Altug Koymen, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Providence Community Health Centers, Providence, RI Clinical Assistant Professor Obstetrics & Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Christine Sander, MHA, Director, Infant Wellness Initiatives & Ohio Better Birth Outcomes Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH

Jeanne Ziter, MD, Pediatrician, Thundermist Health Center, Woonsocket, RI