NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A groundbreaking program aimed at combating opioid addiction is expanding to Nashville General Hospital, offering hope to patients struggling with substance abuse. The Medication Assisted Treatment Emergency Department Induction Project, which began in 2021, is now extending its services to three more hospitals in Tennessee.
The initiative focuses on equipping emergency room physicians with the tools and education needed to treat individuals with substance use disorders. Through the program, patients receive their first dose of Buprenorphine, a medication used to manage opioid addiction, free of charge. Following their initial treatment, the patients are then referred to additional resources in their community to continue their recovery.
According to Jessica Youngblom, the director of strategic initiative for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), the program provides a vital sense of hope for those battling addiction. Youngblom explains that individuals struggling with substance abuse face stigma and judgment, but the program offers them a lifeline by showing them they have the ability to overcome their disease.
Since its inception, the Medication Assisted Treatment Emergency Department Induction Project has made a significant impact. In the first stage of the program, 533 patients were provided with Naloxone, an overdose-reversing drug, before leaving the emergency departments of participating hospitals. This intervention has already proven its effectiveness, as one patient used Naloxone to save his brother’s life after an overdose, demonstrating the life-saving potential of the program.
The expansion of the program to Nashville General Hospital comes as part of TDMHSAS’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of opioid addiction in the state of Tennessee. The additional hospitals joining the initiative include Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City and Regional One in Memphis.
Through its multifaceted approach, the program is not only providing immediate medical assistance but also aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding substance abuse disorders. By educating healthcare professionals and empowering them to offer integrated care, the program is instrumental in breaking the cycle of addiction.
Nashville General Hospital, recognizing the vital impact this program will have on the community, has fully embraced the initiative. Together with the support of all participating hospitals, the Medication Assisted Treatment Emergency Department Induction Project is set to make a significant difference in the lives of those battling opioid addiction.
As the program expands its reach throughout Tennessee, it brings with it a renewed sense of hope for individuals struggling with addiction. By intervening at the crucial moment when patients enter the emergency room, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to provide immediate care and support to those in desperate need. The expansion of the program to Nashville General Hospital and other facilities signifies a proactive approach to fighting opioid addiction and creating a pathway to recovery.
Ultimately, the goal of the program is to save lives and restore hope for individuals battling addiction. By offering innovative and integrated care, Tennessee hospitals are taking significant strides in addressing the opioid crisis head-on. With each success story, the Medication Assisted Treatment Emergency Department Induction Project serves as a beacon of hope for those searching for a way out of the darkness of addiction.
