Atracare Awarded Delaware State Opioid Resource (SOR) Grant to Combat Substance Abuse

Atracare is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Delaware State Opioid Resource (SOR) Grant. This significant achievement allows us to enhance our efforts in screening and referring patients with drug and alcohol use issues. The grant underscores our commitment to improving community health and partnering with the State to set standards that we hope will soon be adopted by medical facilities nationwide.

The Goal of the Grand: https://atrc.dhss.delaware.gov/sor-grant

• Decrease opioid overdoses statewide through development and expansion of programs and resources focused on low threshold access to treatment and targeted referral systems.
• Improve understanding of and engagement and retention in OUD/STUD treatment for those currently accessing the system by enhancing and expanding current prevention, treatment, and recovery services for patients, families, and communities.
• Identify and engage high risk populations in treatment through universal screening and direct, efficient referral of OUD/STUD patients and others affected by the illness to existing treatment and recovery services.

Implementing Comprehensive Screenings Across Departments

Starting Sunday, May 19th, at 8 am, we will integrate a new screening questionnaire within all our departments to detect and help patients in need. The screener, known as TAPS (for patients 18+ years old) or BSTAD (for patients aged 12-17), will be used to assess substance and opioid use. This initiative ensures that every patient aged 12 and older visiting any of our departments will be screened.

Efficient and Seamless Process

We understand that our team members already have demanding schedules. To minimize disruption, the questionnaire has been seamlessly integrated into Athena, our electronic health record system. Our timed tests show that completing the screener takes approximately 1.5 minutes, with a maximum of 5 minutes. This streamlined process ensures that we can quickly and effectively identify patients who may need help.

Support and Resources

The ultimate goal of this program is to refer patients who screen positive for substance use into appropriate therapy or treatment. Included in the program is a comprehensive packet listing various referral places where patients can receive the necessary support. Additionally, we have provided a resource spreadsheet detailing the grant, your roles and responsibilities in collecting patient information, and the correct procedure for follow-ups.

Commitment to a Healthier Delaware

This initiative is part of our broader commitment to combating the opioid crisis that has disproportionately impacted Delaware. By identifying and referring individuals in need, we aim to curb the devastating effects of substance abuse and contribute to healthier, drug-free lives for our community members.

Questions and Support

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dane at dbluestone@atracare.com or Bethany at broth@atracare.com. We appreciate your dedication and hard work in implementing this critical program.

Thank you for your continued efforts to help Delawareans live healthy, drug-free lives.