Nearly 68 percent of fatal overdoses in 2017 involved opioids, a 12 percent increase from 2016. However, communities across the nation are implementing innovative solutions to support these vulnerable members of their community. Collaboration is at the root of strategies that are showing improvement.
See How This Washington Community Is Addressing Opioid Addiction
Snohomish County in Washington loses two people to opioids per week on average. In 2017, leaders declared the opioid crisis a life-threatening emergency and began tackling the problem with many of the same strategies deployed to respond to a natural disaster.
The Snohomish County Opioid Response Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Group was created to get community members the help they needed. Find out how the MAC Group has helped hundreds of people struggling with opioid addiction get treatment.
Learn How This Alaska Hospital Reduced Opioid Prescriptions
Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, a small hospital in Palmer, Alaska needed a better way to track opioid use. With the Collective Platform, staff can see if patients are frequenting other facilities and identify potential substance use disorder. Armed with data, doctors can have honest discussions with patients and get them the help they need.
With patient, physician, and state cooperation, Mat-Su expanded its efforts to include community and non-profit organizations. This involvement helps to improve transitions between the ED, treatment facilities, and the patient’s home. These local effects, supported by statewide initiatives, have resulted in a nearly 80 percent reduction of opioid prescriptions written over the course of three years.
To better understand how Mat-Su accomplished this, sign up for a webinar by Dr. Anne Zink.
Brittany Eastman
Content Marketing Specialist
brittany.eastman@collectivemedical.com
