Reading Hospital is recognizing the 5th anniversary of its Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Center of Excellence (COE). Since it opened in 2017, 770 patients have been served by the program, which has 81 active patients today.
The program connects patients to treatment services, including emergency, obstetric and newborn, primary, and mental healthcare, as well as case management to facilitate medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction, pain management, dental and eye care, and other needed services. Care Coordinators also work with patients to identify and provide support in developing a plan to resolve unmet needs such as housing, childcare, education, vocational skills, employment, transportation, clothing, food, health insurance, and recovery-friendly recreation and activities.
The Reading Hospital OBGYN department, under the leadership of Dr. Mark B. Woodland, applied for and secured the grant from the State of Pennsylvania in December 2016 to offer treatment and support to help expectant mothers experiencing opioid addiction and their newborns dealing with Narcotic Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The program’s first Care Coordinator started in February of 2017, and since then staff has expanded and includes bilingual Care Coordinators. The program works with both insured and uninsured patients.
"We know that OUD recovery success requires long-term care including case management," said Dr. Woodland, Chair, Department of OB/GYN at Reading Hospital. "Our team is dedicated to continuing to fight the opioid epidemic and help our patients, who include our friends and neighbors in the community. It can be difficult to access treatment, so we provide coordinated care to support our patients - which provides a better chance of recovery."
Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that affects the body, brain, relationships, and economics. Opioids are a type of drug that works in the nervous system that initially generates feelings of pleasure and pain relief. However, use may lead to dependence and addiction, which in turn controls individuals, making them feel sick without the drug. Addiction to opioids is powerful, and often the addiction leads to compulsive urges, making recovery without treatment extremely difficult.
Signs that someone is abusing opioids and can benefit from treatment include:
- Borrowing opioid medication from other people
- Combining opioid use with other substances, such as alcohol
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Extreme mood changes
- Having a family history of addiction
- Taking more opioid medicine than what is prescribed
- Taking opioids illegally
- Taking opioids without any pain present but "just in case"
Patients who enroll in the program receive assistance with:
- Establishing a health recovery support network in the community.
- Education, information, and support regarding addiction and recovery for patients, family members, agencies, and community groups.
- Connecting with individuals in the community to assist in transitioning to the next level of care.
- Re-establishing and improving family and significant relationships.
Opioid addiction not only causes long-term health problems, but also risks overdose and death. An overdose occurs when breathing stops or becomes slow or difficult.
Signs of an overdose also include:
- Change in color of lips or fingernails to blue
- Clammy skin and pale face
- Non-responsive behaviors
- Inability to awaken or speak
- Vomiting
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a substance overdose, call 911 immediately. If you need immediate assistance in finding treatment today, please go to an emergency department.
To discuss recovery options, please call us at 484-869-4013 or complete the COE Referral form.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.