Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association MEMBER MOMENTS: Baystate’s Inpatient Addiction Consult Service
The Baystate Health system has launched an inpatient substance use disorder program that will be based at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.
As reported in the Greenfield Recorder, the program is funded with a five-year, $7 million grant from the state’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, and will also serve Baystate Noble and Baystate Wing.
Dr. Adam Chamberlain, medical director of the community addiction consult service, said under the program the addiction consult team will assess patient needs, discuss treatment options with patients, make recommendations to the primary care team, and help patients connect with outpatient treatment and harm-reduction services.
“The medical management of substance use disorder, at least for opioid use disorders, is something that is fast-moving,” he said. “There’s lot of changes because there’s lots of changes to the drug supply, so we need to be very up to date.
“A community hospital, overall, just does not have huge amounts of resources. Treating people with substance use disorders requires a lot of time and resources. Having that time to actively listen and to put more focus [on people] is something we will be able to provide.”