The HOSPITAL & HEALTHSYSTEM ASSOCIATION OF PA | BY MICHAEL J. CONSUELOS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL INTEGRATION | 6.06.17
Hospital emergency rooms (ER) across the state are working to realize the potential for opportunity within the tragedy of Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic. While caring for overdose survivors rescued from death, ERs are working to foster connections that could help those patients recover their lives.
East to West, Rural to Urban, Working on Warm Handoffs
Within the restraints of available resources, hospitals along with government and community partners are fashioning “warm handoffs”—connecting overdose victims to treatment opportunities. Hospital and health system approaches are as varied as their patients and communities.