Salem Medical Center recently launched the Emergency Department Addiction Pathways program — a medication-assisted treatment program for opioid use disorders.
“We will be using the drug buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorders,” said ED Nurse Director Marc Baron, MSN, RN. “Patients can come directly to the ED and request that we start them on buprenorphine. They’ll be transitioned to outpatient care directly from the ED.”
These patients are rarely admitted unless there is a separate underlying medical reason, Baron said.
“By implementing this program, we hope to reduce opioid use and opioid-related deaths in the community,” said Dr. Tammy Torres, CEO. “We want to be a place where patients can turn when they need help.”
Baron partnered with newly appointed Addiction Medicine Medical Director Rachel Haroz, MD, to execute the program.
Dr. Haroz is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, Toxicology and Addiction Medicine. She will be on site to oversee this new program. (See “Welcome New Medical Director” page 3)
For more information, call 856-469-8092.