directed to residential treatment programs. "Different patients require different treatment plans," said Dr. Teresa Koeller, a certified addiction expert and medical director of the recovery clinic. The new center also has space for additional assistance, such as life-skills training. The hospital-based bridge program started this month, after St. Elizabeth received $500,000 in 21st Century Cures Act fund from Kentucky. The state was granted $10 million in federal Cures Act funding. Kentucky's share is being used in regions that have been hardest hit by overdose deaths. The money will be used for addiction prevention, medication-assisted treatment, increased access to recovery services and more, state officials say. With its share, St. Elizabeth Edgewood will provide three to five beds designated for these patients. "If they come in in active overdose and they're contemplating recovery, we're going to keep them there, provide comfort medications for them and arrange for them to get treatment," said Dan Cole, a vice president of medical specialties with the hospital system. "We will also be able to prescribe buprenorphine." The medication, an opioid also known by its brand name, Suboxone, helps stabilize those with an opioid addiction so that they can maintain relationships, benefit from psycho-social treatment and live normal lives. Cole said the hospital will get peer support staff who will arrange the transition to treatment outside the hospital. The program will be fully operational in about two months, Cole said. The plan is to expand the
If they come in in active overdose and they're contemplating recovery, we're going to keep them there, provide comfort medications for themand arrange for them to get treatment.
- Dan Cole vice president of medical specialties
”
service to other St. Elizabeth hospital emergency rooms.
Linda Richter, director of policy research and analysis for the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, said emergency departments should be required to provide initial medication for opioid addiction to those who've overdosed as well as screen patients for addiction and find suitable treatment programs for them. With the unrelenting overdoses, more St. Elizabeth physicians are are getting on board to prescribe buprenorphine, Cole said. Journey Recovery Center currently has Koeller at the top as medical director, full-time, and several part-time people from "moonlighting" doctors to nurse practitioners, Cole said. The "moonlighting" concept has worked for St. Elizabeth, he said, because doctors who either are retired or already are family physicians can help without hindering their regular practice. "Some of our physicians are mission-driven to give back," Cole said. The group includes retired physicians. He said the goal with the recovery clinic is to have additional staff, including three full-time physicians. Within six months to a year, St. Elizabeth announced, the clinic will increase its workforce to about 32 employees.
“
Different patients require different treatment plans -Dr. Teresa Koeller, addiction expert and medical director
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker