Margaretville Hospital expands opioid addiction treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is a proven strategy to treat opioid use disorder. However, there is limited access to MAT providers in rural areas and MAT uptake among rural populations remains low. Recently, Margaretville Hospital (a member of WMCHealth) launched a MAT program to help prevent opioid overdose and assist individuals as they combat substance use disorder in the community.
The new program, with support from a grant from New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports, initiates treatment with buprenorphine, a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating opioid use disorder as an adjuvant to counseling and other supportive services. After receiving a first dose, the patient is provided with options for follow-up services.
People seeking treatment can visit Margaretville Hospital’s emergency department at any time, day or night. Trained staff administer the first dose of buprenorphine and provide a prescription so the individual can continue treatment at home. Hospital staff will also match patients to peer advocates and share options for follow-up treatment, one of which is services offered through WMCHealth’s Kyle Goldberg Turning Point Outpatient Program.
This much-needed, community-based program will eliminate treatment barriers such as transportation obstacles by leveraging telehealth services, enabling patients to remain in their homes.
Anyone experiencing a substance use or mental health emergency should be brought immediately to the nearest emergency department. Anyone seeking non-emergent information regarding the MAT program at Margaretville Hospital should call 845.586.2631 x3233.
