By all accounts, the widespread opioid crisis requires a multifaceted approach to resolve. Increased control over prescribing, a re-ordering of law enforcement priorities, expanded treatment, and improved public education, among other approaches, are all needed to stop the needless deaths occurring in the state, region, and nation.
Massachusetts hospitals, following the guidance of MHA’s Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force, are doing their part to limit opioids prescribed through the 51 emergency departments in the state. That guidance was endorsed by the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians (MACEP). Now MHA and MACEP are collaborating to introduce a new substance use disorder resource – PreManage ED.
PreManage ED is a collaborative care management tool that gives ED providers real-time information on high-risk patients. In short, ED providers get critical information about a patient quickly, without a time-consuming search for it. They can see that patient’s interaction with other providers, target inappropriate ED use, reduce medically unnecessary ED readmissions, and get other care team members involved quickly to develop a care plan. PreManage ED complements a hospital’s existing electronic health records.
MHA President Lynn Nicholas, FACHE said, “We’re looking to implement PreManage ED statewide because we know it has been proven to work in other states and because the opioid crisis requires us to use every arrow in our quiver to help hospitals help those at risk in our communities.”