TriHealth is partnering with BrightView, a local medical practice that treats people battling drug or alcohol addictions, to help the hospital system’s doctors and other providers with questions regarding the care of patients with opioid-use disorders.
BrightView is an outpatient practice that uses medical treatment in conjunction with psychological and social services. Based in Walnut Hills, BrightView has five locations and plans to open two more soon.
TriHealth said the partnership will complement its Bethesda Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program in Blue Ash and a similar one at Good Samaritan Hospital in University Heights.
Caring for patients with substance use disorders presents particular challenges, indicating the need for more training, support and partnerships, said Judith Mitchell, TriHealth’s director of behavioral health and co-facilitator of the TriHealth Opioid Steering Committee.
Among the opioid issues that nurses experience are patients with addictions repeatedly admitted to emergency rooms, gaps in care for patients with addictions, and difficulties because of health problems such as abscesses and significant infections.
TriHealth clinicians, staff and senior leadership are passionate about providing the best treatment for patients with opioid-use disorder, said Dr. Dallas Auvil, system chief of behavioral health at TriHealth.
“We want to make a difference, and we are,” Auvil said. “From the initial funding of the project by the Good Samaritan Foundation and bi3 (the grant making initiative of Bethesda Inc.) to the extensive development phase and ultimate delivery of care, everyone involved has brought their very best to serve our community during this deadly epidemic.”
“Together we are collaboratively addressing the opioid epidemic in Greater Cincinnati through multiple endeavors, including inpatient management, linkage to evidence-based outpatient treatment (and) Narcan distribution,” Dr. Shawn Ryan, president and chief medical officer of BrightView, said.
Original article here posted on Cincinnati Business Courier.
