Hospital navigation program aims to bridge gap to opioid addiction care

This study tested a patient navigation program called NavSTAR, which helps people with opioid addiction start treatment after leaving the hospital. The program uses trained navigators to guide patients through the complex healthcare system to access medication treatment. The research team previously found this approach significantly increased treatment entry and reduced hospital readmissions. This phase worked to adapt and test the program across four Philadelphia hospitals to see if it could be implemented widely and sustainably.