Opioid Use DisorderADAPT-EDNCT06827288
Adaptive Interventions for Emergency Department Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
A study testing SUN, SUN + Telebridge and ED-ITT in people with Opioid Use Disorder, run by RAND at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The ADAPT-ED study is a two-stage, sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to inform the development of an adaptive intervention that is optimally effective in increasing long-term buprenorphine use for adults presenting to the ED with probable opioid use disorder (OUD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Opioid Use Disorder
- What is being tested?
- SUN, SUN + Telebridge and ED-ITT
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 500 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 4 Oct 2024to 31 Mar 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Presented for ED care at ARMC
- Age 18 or older
- Probable OUD diagnosis
- Speak and understand English or Spanish
- Have capacity to give informed consent
- Provide a signed and dated informed consent form
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Colton, California, 92324
Louis Tran, MD, 909-580-1000, TranLo@armc.sbcounty.gov
About this study
The ADAPT-ED study is a two-stage, sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to inform the development of an adaptive intervention that is optimally effective in increasing long-term buprenorphine use for adults presenting to the ED with probable opioid use disorder (OUD).
Read the detailed description
The ADAPT-ED study is a two-stage, sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to inform the development of an adaptive intervention that is optimally effective in increasing long-term buprenorphine use for adults presenting to the ED with probable OUD. The trial includes (1) two first stage components: the CA Bridge Model with Substance Use Navigator assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care (SUN) or CA Bridge plus immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider (SUN+TeleBridge); (2) a dynamic tailoring variable describing (non) response to the first stage: whether the patient has not filled an outpatient buprenorphine prescription at 30 days or whether the patient returns to the ED with an OUD-related event or self-reports non-adherence to buprenorphine within the first 90 days; (3) two second-stage components for non-responders; either ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team (ED-ITT) or ED-ITT augmented with behavioral health support (ED-ITT+BHS). First-stage responders will receive no further active intervention unless the participant returns to the ED or notifies the SUN about no longer taking buprenorphine within 90 days of study enrollment.
Hypothesis 1: The investigators hypothesize that the most intensive Adaptive Treatment Strategy (ATS) will lead to (a) more days of buprenorphine use and (b) a longer time to overdose, self-harm, or death compared to the least intensive ATS.
Hypothesis 2: The investigators hypothesize that (a) SUN+TeleBridge in the first stage of the ATS and (b) ED-ITT+BHS in the second stage of the ATS will each lead to more days of buprenorphine use and a longer time to overdose, self-harm, or death within the first 12 months compared to SUN and ED-ITT, respectively, and (c) there is a synergistic positive effect of receiving both SUN+TeleBridge and ED-ITT+BHS on days of buprenorphine use.
Hypothesis 3: The investigators hypothesize that the effect of SUN+TeleBridge versus SUN and the effect of ED-ITT+BHS versus ED-ITT among first stage non-responders will be larger among those with (a) a history of overdose at baseline and (b) co-occurring depression or PTSD at baseline relative to those who do not have either or those conditions.
- Conditions
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Being tested
- SUN, SUN + Telebridge, ED-ITT, ED-ITT + BHS
- Medical subject headings
- Opioid-Related Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SUNBehavioural
The SUN helps patients initiate buprenorphine treatment in the hospital, connects patients to follow-up care by facilitating appointments at outpatient clinics, addresses barriers to care, and serves as a resource for patients and clinicians. The SUN also advocates for a harm-reduction culture, models respectful interactions with people who use drugs and provides technical assistance to hospital staff to reduce stigma and discrimination.
SUN + TelebridgeBehavioural
TeleBridge consists of an immediate telehealth connection to a buprenorphine provider affiliated with the CA Bridge program who has expertise facilitating pharmacotherapy with individuals with OUD. TeleBridge addresses barriers to initiation of buprenorphine by reducing long wait times and the inability of the outpatient setting to initiate treatment on demand. TeleBridge also eliminates the need for patients to meet system-level requirements (e.g. on time for appointments during working hours while wearing appropriate attire) to obtain follow-up care. TeleBridge is a more resource-intensive form of care because it involves developing formalized relationships with outpatient providers and implementing telehealth protocols. TeleBridge is feasible based on the increased use of telehealth to expand post-ED care pathways.
ED-ITTBehavioural
Enrolled patients who have not filled an outpatient buprenorphine (BUP) prescription at 30 days, return to the ED with an OUD-related event, or self-report nonadherence to the prescribed BUP are considered non-responders, and randomly assigned to a second stage intervention. For non-responders randomized to receive ongoing BUP treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team (ED-ITT), the SUN and Site PI (an ED physician with expertise in addiction medicine) will meet weekly to review the SUN's caseload, using a patient registry that has been modified for the trial. The registry: 1) prompts/documents proactive SUN outreach up to 3 additional months for non-responders, with an emphasis on prioritizing subsequent outreach to patients who have not yet engaged with outpatient care, or who are at risk of dropping out if the patient have transitioned; and 2) documents when the ED provider prescribes transitional BUP and when the patient would be due for a new prescription.
ED-ITT + BHSBehavioural
Enrolled patients who have not filled an outpatient buprenorphine (BUP) prescription at 30 days, return to the ED with an OUD-related event, or self-report to the SUN nonadherence to the prescribed BUP will be considered non-responders, and randomly assigned to a second stage intervention. For non-responders randomized to receive ongoing BUP treatment from the ED-ITT+BHS, Behavioral Health Support (BHS) will be added to ED-ITT and include a weekly caseload review with an externally-affiliated psychiatrist with expertise in addiction medicine who will make mental health and substance use treatment recommendations, both pharmacological and behavioral, to the ED provider and SUN for up to 3 months. The consultant may also ask the SUN to do a more detailed behavioral health assessment, if insufficient information is available to make treatment recommendations. All prescriptions will be written by the ED provider.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SUN with no follow up | Active comparator | In Arm A, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be responders by 90 days and therefore receive no active follow up. Receives: Behavioral: SUN |
| SUN followed by ED-ITT | Active comparator | In Arm B, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team. Receives: Behavioral: SUN; Behavioral: ED-ITT |
| SUN followed by ED-ITT + BHS | Active comparator | In Arm C, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT + BHS condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team augmented with a behavioral health consultant who will provide behavioral health support for up to 3 months. Receives: Behavioral: SUN; Behavioral: ED-ITT + BHS |
| SUN + Telebridge with no follow up | Active comparator | In Arm D, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be responders by 90 days and therefore receive no active follow up. Receives: Behavioral: SUN + Telebridge |
| SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT | Active comparator | In Arm E, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team. Receives: Behavioral: SUN + Telebridge; Behavioral: ED-ITT |
| SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT + BHS | Active comparator | In Arm F, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT + BHS condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team augmented with a behavioral health consultant who will provide behavioral health support for up to 3 months. Receives: Behavioral: SUN + Telebridge; Behavioral: ED-ITT + BHS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The number of days a buprenorphine prescription was filled in the 6 months after enrollment
Measured: 6 months from date of enrollment
Secondary outcomes (1)
The time to a composite measure of overdose, suicide, self-harm and death
Measured: 6 months from date of enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Feb 2025
- Study start4 Oct 2024
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Opioid Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Model description
- A two-stage Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART).
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 500 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- RAND
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Alameda Health System, Stanford University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Katherine Watkins, RAND
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06827288
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022-N0631
- Acronym
- ADAPT-ED
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: All participant data will be destroyed in accordance with RAND Survey Research Group institutional policies (RAND SRG follows Federal guidelines, currently 7 years following study completion).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Adaptive Interventions for Emergency Department Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06827288
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ADAPT-ED / 2022-N0631
- Conditions
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 500 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- RANDUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Alameda Health System, Stanford University
- Study start
- 4 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The ADAPT-ED study is a two-stage, sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to inform the development of an adaptive intervention that is optimally effective in increasing long-term buprenorphine use for adults presenting to the ED with probable opioid use disorder (OUD).
Detailed description
The ADAPT-ED study is a two-stage, sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to inform the development of an adaptive intervention that is optimally effective in increasing long-term buprenorphine use for adults presenting to the ED with probable OUD. The trial includes (1) two first stage components: the CA Bridge Model with Substance Use Navigator assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care (SUN) or CA Bridge plus immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider (SUN+TeleBridge); (2) a dynamic tailoring variable describing (non) response to the first stage: whether the patient has not filled an outpatient buprenorphine prescription at 30 days or whether the patient returns to the ED with an OUD-related event or self-reports non-adherence to buprenorphine within the first 90 days; (3) two second-stage components for non-responders; either ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team (ED-ITT) or ED-ITT augmented with behavioral health support (ED-ITT+BHS). First-stage responders will receive no further active intervention unless the participant returns to the ED or notifies the SUN about no longer taking buprenorphine within 90 days of study enrollment.
Hypothesis 1: The investigators hypothesize that the most intensive Adaptive Treatment Strategy (ATS) will lead to (a) more days of buprenorphine use and (b) a longer time to overdose, self-harm, or death compared to the least intensive ATS.
Hypothesis 2: The investigators hypothesize that (a) SUN+TeleBridge in the first stage of the ATS and (b) ED-ITT+BHS in the second stage of the ATS will each lead to more days of buprenorphine use and a longer time to overdose, self-harm, or death within the first 12 months compared to SUN and ED-ITT, respectively, and (c) there is a synergistic positive effect of receiving both SUN+TeleBridge and ED-ITT+BHS on days of buprenorphine use.
Hypothesis 3: The investigators hypothesize that the effect of SUN+TeleBridge versus SUN and the effect of ED-ITT+BHS versus ED-ITT among first stage non-responders will be larger among those with (a) a history of overdose at baseline and (b) co-occurring depression or PTSD at baseline relative to those who do not have either or those conditions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 6
- Model description
- A two-stage Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SUN with no follow up | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUNIn Arm A, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be responders by 90 days and therefore receive no active follow up. |
| SUN followed by ED-ITT | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUN, Behavioral: ED-ITTIn Arm B, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team. |
| SUN followed by ED-ITT + BHS | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUN, Behavioral: ED-ITT + BHSIn Arm C, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT + BHS condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team augmented with a behavioral health consultant who will provide behavioral health support for up to 3 months. |
| SUN + Telebridge with no follow up | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUN + TelebridgeIn Arm D, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be responders by 90 days and therefore receive no active follow up. |
| SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUN + Telebridge, Behavioral: ED-ITTIn Arm E, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team. |
| SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT + BHS | Active comparator | Behavioral: SUN + Telebridge, Behavioral: ED-ITT + BHSIn Arm F, participants are randomized to receive SUN-assisted treatment initiation and linkage to care plus SUN-assisted immediate telehealth connection to an outpatient provider. The patients are determined to be non-responders within 90 days and are subsequently randomized into the ED-ITT + BHS condition to receive ongoing buprenorphine treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team augmented with a behavioral health consultant who will provide behavioral health support for up to 3 months. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presented for ED care at ARMC
- Age 18 or older
- Probable OUD diagnosis
- Speak and understand English or Spanish
- Have capacity to give informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SUNThe SUN helps patients initiate buprenorphine treatment in the hospital, connects patients to follow-up care by facilitating appointments at outpatient clinics, addresses barriers to care, and serves as a resource for patients and clinicians. The SUN also advocates for a harm-reduction culture, models respectful interactions with people who use drugs and provides technical assistance to hospital staff to reduce stigma and discrimination. | Behavioural | SUN followed by ED-ITT, SUN followed by ED-ITT + BHS, SUN with no follow up |
| SUN + TelebridgeTeleBridge consists of an immediate telehealth connection to a buprenorphine provider affiliated with the CA Bridge program who has expertise facilitating pharmacotherapy with individuals with OUD. TeleBridge addresses barriers to initiation of buprenorphine by reducing long wait times and the inability of the outpatient setting to initiate treatment on demand. TeleBridge also eliminates the need for patients to meet system-level requirements (e.g. on time for appointments during working hours while wearing appropriate attire) to obtain follow-up care. TeleBridge is a more resource-intensive form of care because it involves developing formalized relationships with outpatient providers and implementing telehealth protocols. TeleBridge is feasible based on the increased use of telehealth to expand post-ED care pathways. | Behavioural | SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT, SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT + BHS, SUN + Telebridge with no follow up |
| ED-ITTEnrolled patients who have not filled an outpatient buprenorphine (BUP) prescription at 30 days, return to the ED with an OUD-related event, or self-report nonadherence to the prescribed BUP are considered non-responders, and randomly assigned to a second stage intervention. For non-responders randomized to receive ongoing BUP treatment by an ED-based interim treatment team (ED-ITT), the SUN and Site PI (an ED physician with expertise in addiction medicine) will meet weekly to review the SUN's caseload, using a patient registry that has been modified for the trial. The registry: 1) prompts/documents proactive SUN outreach up to 3 additional months for non-responders, with an emphasis on prioritizing subsequent outreach to patients who have not yet engaged with outpatient care, or who are at risk of dropping out if the patient have transitioned; and 2) documents when the ED provider prescribes transitional BUP and when the patient would be due for a new prescription. | Behavioural | SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT, SUN followed by ED-ITT |
| ED-ITT + BHSEnrolled patients who have not filled an outpatient buprenorphine (BUP) prescription at 30 days, return to the ED with an OUD-related event, or self-report to the SUN nonadherence to the prescribed BUP will be considered non-responders, and randomly assigned to a second stage intervention. For non-responders randomized to receive ongoing BUP treatment from the ED-ITT+BHS, Behavioral Health Support (BHS) will be added to ED-ITT and include a weekly caseload review with an externally-affiliated psychiatrist with expertise in addiction medicine who will make mental health and substance use treatment recommendations, both pharmacological and behavioral, to the ED provider and SUN for up to 3 months. The consultant may also ask the SUN to do a more detailed behavioral health assessment, if insufficient information is available to make treatment recommendations. All prescriptions will be written by the ED provider. | Behavioural | SUN + Telebridge followed by ED-ITT + BHS, SUN followed by ED-ITT + BHS |
Primary outcome
The number of days a buprenorphine prescription was filled in the 6 months after enrollment
Time frame: 6 months from date of enrollment
1 secondary outcome
The time to a composite measure of overdose, suicide, self-harm and death
Time frame: 6 months from date of enrollment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. All participant data will be destroyed in accordance with RAND Survey Research Group institutional policies (RAND SRG follows Federal guidelines, currently 7 years following study completion).
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing SUN, SUN + Telebridge and ED-ITT in people with Opioid Use Disorder, run by RAND at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 0 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mariah Kalmin, PhD (310-393-0411 ext. 6160, mariahk@rand.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The number of days a buprenorphine prescription was filled in the 6 months after enrollment (time frame: 6 months from date of enrollment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Feb 2026.