New program launching to support individuals admitted to hospital for an injection-related infection

The Injection-Related InfectionS (IRIS) program provides interdisciplinary supports to individuals admitted to a Hamilton hospital for an injection-related infection. The project will begin recruitment in April 2024. The intervention involves matching participants with a peer support worker, community connector (systems navigator), primary care physician, and addictions medicine provider, if interested. Participants will have regular contact with their peer support worker, meet as needed with the community connector, and receive organized follow-up care with cardiology, addictions medicine, and infectious disease, as needed.

The research team will collect quantitative self-reported data at baseline and 6-months, complete chart review for pre- and post-enrolment periods, and interview participants at the end of the study. Given previous success with a similar program for patients admitted to hospital with infective endocarditis and a history of injection drug use, the team is excited to begin the IRIS program.