Implementing a Learning Health System in Emergency Addictions Care

This cluster will focus on the urgent need for emergency department (ED) interventions to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis. Despite the role EDs play in the crisis—many overdose victims visit an ED before their death—there is limited evidence on how to engage high-risk individuals, prevent harm, and provide effective treatments. Yet, EDs lack the infrastructure, coordination, and resources to rapidly conduct research. We will create a provincial learning health system to foster collaboration between clinicians, researchers, decision-makers, and individuals with lived experience to overcome the barriers of siloed systems and create a culture of shared learning, accountability, and collaboration.