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Louisiana Bridge Program
Changing the culture of how substance use disorder is addressed in EDs
Mission
To save lives by integrating 24/7 evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and peer navigation within Louisiana's emergency departments (EDs), ensuring a seamless transition to community-based outpatient care.
Commitment
To support hospital staff, patients, families, and communities with compassionate, person‑centered care for SUD, helping to reduce overdose deaths and strengthen connections to ongoing behavioral health services and community support.
About the Program
A partnership between the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) and the Office of Public Health (OPH), the Louisiana Bridge Program (LA Bridge) is a hospital‑based initiative designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths in communities across our state. Modeled after the California Bridge program, Louisiana Bridge supports EDs to provide rapid, evidence‑based care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), connect individuals with ongoing treatment and recovery support, and provide low-barrier access to naloxone for opioid overdose reversal.
LA Bridge supports participating hospitals in building strong linkages with community providers so that individuals receive timely, compassionate care in the EDs and have clear pathways to outpatient MOUD. By reducing stigma and coordinating care, the program meets people where they are and helps them feel more comfortable seeking help for substance use.
Through collaboration with regional partners and national experts, LA Bridge advances LDH’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Louisiana residents by expanding access to high‑quality, integrated care for SUD.
LA Bridge creates a compassionate pathway to effective addiction treatments through three critical components:
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Evidence-Based Treatment for SUD: Making medication for addiction treatment (MAT) accessible in the ED and all hospital departments without complicated restrictions and procedures. |
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Connection to Care and Community: Trained substance use navigators connect patients to ongoing care in the community, providing warm walk-through services and take-home naloxone. |
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Culture of Care: Creating a welcoming hospital culture that offers treatment without stigma, builds trust, and leads with respect. |
How Louisiana Bridge Fosters Help and Hope
In hospitals with the LA Bridge Program, substance use navigators (SUNs) and clinical teams work together to offer evidence‑based care, including medications for opioid use disorder; overdose prevention education, including access to naloxone; and assistance with discharge planning and bridging to outpatient care.
SUNs also provide post‑discharge follow‑up to patients and their families to promote ongoing engagement in treatment and the use of overdose prevention strategies. By linking patients to the appropriate level of care, SUNs offer individuals choices and support as they work toward their own recovery goals.
Participating Hospitals
LA Bridge is expanding across Louisiana through partnerships with hospital EDs. Participating hospitals receive training, technical assistance, and ongoing support to integrate the Bridge model into routine emergency care. As of February 2026, the following hospitals have received technical assistance from national and Louisiana BRIDGE partners to integrate the Bridge model into their 24/7 operations:
Inaugural Hospitals
- Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Lake Charles (selected as a Bridge Starts Program recipient)
- CHRISTUS – Oschner Lake Area Hospital, Lake Charles
- CHRISTUS – Oschner St. Patrick Hospital, Lake Charles
- West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, Sulphur
- Oschner American Legion Hospital, Jennings
First Cohort
- Opelousas General Hospital, Opelousas
- Oschner Medical Center, New Orleans
- Rapides Regional Medical Center, Alexandria
- St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Covington
Essential Tools for Louisiana Bridge
These resources have been developed by experts in addiction medicine and are designed to guide clinical practice with up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations. They support people working to reduce overdose deaths and expand access to medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
Louisiana Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line (PPCL)
For pediatric and perinatal mental health support
The Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line (PPCL) is a no-cost telehealth consultation and education program that helps health care providers address the behavioral and mental health needs of pediatric patients (ages 0-21) and perinatal patients. The program aims to increase the capacity to screen, diagnose, treat, and refer patients to supportive services by integrating behavioral health into clinical settings and connecting providers to mental health/substance use disorder consultants and psychiatrists.
Any provider serving children/youth (0-21) and pregnant and postpartum women may access the PPCL. Registration is not required before calling, but it is strongly encouraged and only takes 1-2 minutes. You may also complete registration during the consult call.
Critical Access Toolkit
The Critical Access Toolkit includes educational videos and materials for clinicians, emergency medical services, hospital administrators, tribal leaders, and people affected by substance use disorder. The toolkit covers substance use disorders, medication for alcohol use disorder (MAUD), medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and overdose prevention utilizing naloxone.
Additional Resources
For more information about the Louisiana Bridge Program, including hospital participation or community partnerships, please email LABridge@la.gov.