Patient outcomes after initiation of Sabbath closure of a methadone maintenance clinic in Israel.
The study examined whether closing of a methadone maintenance clinic in Israel on the Sabbath was associated with adverse patient outcomes. One take-home dose of methadone was given to all patients for that day regardless of whether they had earned take-home privileges. No difference was found in dropout rates for the six-month periods before and after Saturday closure was initiated. Results of random, twice-weekly urinalyses for all patients did not indicate increased use of heroin. The findings suggest that closure of a methadone clinic at least one day a week does not jeopardize patient outcome. Cutting hours of operation would reduce workload and enable clinics to function more economically.
Gelkopf
M
M
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel. bleich@post.tau.ac.il
Bleich
A
A
Hayward
R
R
Adelson
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006693:Holidays; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008691:Methadone