What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the feasibility of implementing integrated behavioral health care for patients with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis in an outpatient setting.

February 26, 2026Open Access

Implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health in Outpatient Cardiology Care for Patients with Injection Drug Use–Associated Infective Endocarditis

Key Points

To assess the feasibility of implementing integrated behavioral health care for patients with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis in an outpatient setting.
Conducted universal behavioral health screening for patients attending the cardiology clinic.
Evaluated a cohort of 141 patients with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis from 2021 to 2024.
Provided behavioral health assessments and interventions to patients who consented for integrated care.
Out of 141 patients, 78 (55.3%) completed behavioral health screening.
23 patients (29.5%) received a behavioral health assessment and consented to integrated care.
91.3% of those who consented received at least one psychiatric consultation, and 100% received a brief behavioral health intervention.

Abstract

Abstract We described the feasibility of implementing integrated behavioral health (IBH) care in an outpatient cardiology clinic for patients with injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE). From 2021-2024, 141 patients with IDU-IE were evaluated in the clinic. Universal behavioral health screening was completed for 78 (55.3%) patients. Of those screened, 23 (29.5%) received a behavioral health assessment and consented for IBH care. Among them, 21 (91.3%) received at least one psychiatric consultation and all 23 (100%) received a brief behavioral health intervention. IBH care for patients with IDU-IE was feasible to implement in an outpatient cardiology clinic.

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