Starting with treatment in the field for withdrawal symptoms,
new program aims to connect patients with comprehensive care for
opioid use disorder following an overdose
PLUM,
Pa., July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- Plum Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Allegheny Health
Network (AHN) Forbes Hospital and Forbes Family Medicine today
announced the launch of a new pilot program aimed at addressing the
opioid overdose crisis in Plum
Borough and the surrounding communities.
"At AHN, we know that truly caring for the
community often means going beyond the walls of our hospitals and
clinics to meet people where they are and provide the whole person
care they need," said Mark Rubino,
MD, president, Forbes Hospital.
Modeled after successful initiatives in cities such as
Pittsburgh and San Antonio, the Plum EMS Harm Reduction
Program brings together emergency responders, emergency medicine
physicians and a multidisciplinary care team to help patients
recover from an overdose and more promptly put them on a path to
wellness.
"We've seen the devastating impact of overdoses firsthand," said
Brian Maloney, MS, director of
operations, Plum EMS. "Our goal is to help individuals at a
vulnerable moment and connect them with all of the resources they
need to obtain appropriate follow-up care and start their recovery
journey."
When first responders have traditionally cared for individuals
following an opioid overdose, their treatment has been limited to
administering the opioid overdose reversal medication Narcan,
followed by offering to transport the patient to a nearby hospital
to receive further treatment. For those who decline being taken to
a hospital, Maloney says there is increased likelihood for them to
quickly return to using opioids to alleviate symptoms of
withdrawal.
As part of this harm reduction pilot program, Plum EMS is now
approved to administer in the field the opioid replacement therapy
known as buprenorphine or suboxone following phone consultation
between a paramedic and an emergency medicine physician at Forbes
Hospital. The FDA-approved medication is intended to reduce opioid
withdrawal symptoms.
Plum EMS is only the second EMS agency in Pennsylvania that is approved to administer
the medication, following the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS.
EMS crews will next initiate a warm handoff to the AHN Forbes
Family Medicine Opioid Use Disorder Clinic and/or supply patients
with information regarding other community-based resources for
follow-up care. Patients will also receive a short-term
prescription for buprenorphine until they are seen at the AHN
clinic in Monroeville.
The Forbes Family Medicine Opioid Use Disorder Clinic provides
patients with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and the support
of a multidisciplinary care team including a physician, licensed
social worker and pharmacist. Patients initially attend weekly
appointments with the care team and then monthly in order to
maintain their individualized care plans and address any emerging
issues over the long term.
The harm reduction pilot program will run for nine months
starting July 10th. A team from Plum
EMS, Forbes Family Medicine and the State Bureau of EMS will
collect and analyze data on patient outcomes to determine the
program's effectiveness and potential for broader
implementation.
"At AHN, we know that truly caring for the community often means
going beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics to meet people
where they are and provide the whole person care they need," said
Mark Rubino, MD, president, Forbes
Hospital. "We are so pleased to provide clinical support for this
program and applaud Plum EMS for their leadership of this
critically important community health initiative."
About Plum Emergency Medical
Services
Plum EMS provides emergency medical services for the benefit of all
individuals in Plum Borough and
neighboring communities and their goal is simple: extraordinary
customer service. They accomplish this by observing a common set of
values and by partnering with organizations that have the finest
reputation for quality. There are no shortcuts and they believe
that their goals are accomplished only with a real commitment from
each and every team member.
About Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated healthcare
delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network
comprises 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health +
Wellness Pavilions, multiple employed physician organizations, home
and community-based health services, a research institute, and a
group purchasing organization. The Network provides patients with
access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services,
including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency
care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation,
cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery,
women's health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs
approximately 23,000 people, has more than 2,600 physicians on its
medical staff, and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic
Medicine.
Media Contact
Sarafina Brooks James, Allegheny
Health Network, 412-609-2902,
Sarafina.Brooks@HighmarkHealth.org, https://www.ahn.org
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SOURCE Allegheny Health Network