Louisiana Bridge Program - Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment

Timely access to treatment is critical for patients with substance use disorders. The Louisiana Bridge Program is designed to transform hospitals into entry points for immediate, evidence-based addiction care and connection to long-term support.

Woman’s Hospital is an active participant in this statewide initiative, integrating substance use awareness, training, and treatment support into care.

Initiating Treatment at the Point of Care

Modeled after the California Bridge program, this approach focuses on starting treatment when patients are most receptive—during emergency or hospital encounters. At Woman’s Hospital, this includes:

  • Rapid identification of patients with substance use disorders
  • Access to medications for opioid use disorder
  • Naloxone distribution to reduce overdose risk
  • Coordinated discharge pathways that connect patients to ongoing care

Building a System of Support

Clinical teams—including emergency department prescribers and nurses—have completed specialized training in addiction treatment and recovery support.

Dedicated Substance Use Navigators work directly with patients to provide education, coordinate follow-up, and connect individuals to community-based treatment resources, helping bridge the gap between hospital care and long-term recovery. 

Advancing a New Model of Care

By embedding addiction treatment into standard clinical workflows, the Louisiana Bridge Program supports a shift from episodic care to continuous, coordinated treatment—improving access, reducing stigma, and strengthening outcomes for patients and communities.

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