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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact: Emily Blackie
EBlackie@vnaohio.org / 216-931-1302
CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 31, 2017) – Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, in partnership with the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, has launched a six-month pilot program for ambulatory program to help manage the medical and nursing needs of clients going through opiate withdrawal.
This innovative program will help people who have been discharged from short-term detox programs and require further assistance with withdrawal from opiates. Traditional treatment facilities discharge clients from detox programs after five days. However, symptoms of post-acute withdrawal are erratic and can last up to three weeks. These symptoms may include craving, anxiety, pain and cramping.
Psychiatric nurses and social workers from VNA of Ohio’s Mental Health program, an innovative program that serves people in Northeast and Mid-Ohio in their homes, will visit patients in residential treatment facilities such as Hitchcock House, ORCA House and Stella Maris. The team will provide short-term care for clients and will work with them for a maximum of 30 days to help them manage symptoms during the final weeks of detoxification. Clients in the program will be offered appropriate medication from a limited formulary, or list of available medications.
Prior to discharge, clients will be evaluated by staff from VNA of Ohio to determine whether or not the client has successfully completed the program. The goals of the program are that each client remain sober and remain in the residential treatment program while continuing to show fewer symptoms of withdrawal.
During the six-month pilot, services will be available for 10-15 clients at the partnering treatment facilities, while servicing no more than 30 patients at one time.
“We will continue to do what we do best, take services to the patient,” said Thom Huggins, RN, a psychiatric nurse at VNA of Ohio. “By treating and hopefully decreasing withdrawal symptoms, the client stays engaged in treatment and, more importantly, stays alive.”
About ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County
Our mission is to promote and enhance the quality of life for residents of our community through a commitment to excellence in mental health, alcohol, drug, and other addiction services. Our goal is that mental health, alcohol, drug, and other addiction services will be available and accessible for every county resident in need and the ADAMHS Board will provide a preeminent, seamless and integrated system of care. Learn more at adamhscc.org.
About Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio
VNA of Ohio is a non-profit, community-based healthcare organization that has been helping patients for more than 100 years. The organization works with hospitals, doctors, community agencies and companies to provide services for patients in their homes. Services include skilled nursing care, mental healthcare, social work services, rehabilitation therapies, hospice and personal care assistance.
VNA of Ohio provides high-quality, comprehensive home health and hospice care to promote health, independence and dignity to those living in our communities. Learn more at www.vnaohio.org.
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