UVA Health partners with BEAM Diagnostics to improve screening for opioid use disorder

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Roanoke-based business BEAM Diagnostics is trying to be a part of the solution to improve preventative screening for opioid use disorder.

The University of Virginia Health System is now getting involved in the study.

“We know that opioid use and opioids are the leading cause of drug-related fatalities in the US, especially among Virginians,” BEAM Diagnostics, Doctor Sarah Snider said.

BEAM Diagnostics focuses on behavioral health diagnosis. Recently, it launched a new tool aiming to help patients who suffer from opioid use.

“Beacon OUD as a simple and non-stigmatizing assessment that can get to providers into patients more proactive care and get them to the preventative health services that they need,” Dr. Snider said.

In partnership with BEAM, UVA has officially launched the first patients taking the assessment.

“We’re helping them test this tool to see if it’s accurate, and in identifying people with opioid use disorder in the community,” University of Virginia’s Doctor John Gazewood said.

Gazewood says opioid use is often unrecognized in the clinical setting, but if you struggle with opioid use, you may be eligible to participate in the study, a very simple process.

“They go through the tool, which is on an iPad, so it’s interactive. I think most patients seem to enjoy taking the test, if you will. We ask them some other questions to compare the results of the beam tool to the standard tool. and then we’ll use that information to determine how accurate the beam tool is.” Dr. Gazewood said.

For more information on BEAM and the Beacon opioid use disorder assessment click the link here.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.