Direct Access for Emergency Departments
DIRECT ACCESS provides Emergency Departments online access to Medication-Assisted Treatment services in the Emergency Department using telemedicine.
Emergency Department's are on the front-lines of the opioid epidemic and other substance use disorders. Bright Heart Health is streamlining the care coordination process so individuals can receive immediate and long-term care before discharging from the emergency department.
Emergency Departments are a perfect opportunity for treatment intervention. With Bright Heart Health, our extensive staff physicians who can evaluate and prescribe buprenorphine or other medications enables individuals to get immediate comprehensive care.
Choose Service Best for Your ED
Option 1: Telemedicine MAT
Telemedicine 24x7
Our physicians and clinicians are available 24x7 for evaluation, intake and prescriptions. Using the Computer on Wheels (COWS) or tablets provided by Bright Heart Health, Emergency Room physicians can connect patients and Bright Heart Health providers. Please call to make this service available at your hospital, urgent care, or clinic (844) 884-4474.
Benefits:
- Great for ED's lacking xwaiver physicians, local MAT services, or streamlined care.
- Patient inductions on buprenorphine completed before leaving ED
- Assessment and evaluation for SUD with ongoing care and complete wrap arounds services, including counseling, case management, recovery and peer support.
- High treatment retention rates.
- Assists complex clients needing additional structure.
Option 2: Online Intake and Referral
Online Intake & Scheduling
Patients or ED staff can complete intake paperwork, schedule an appointment, and ensure ongoing care is coordinated and confirmed. Appointments available within 48 hrs. Available now.
Benefits:
- Great for helping individuals enter formal treatment services.
- Easy referral service for substance use disorder such as alcohol or methamphetamine.
- Assessment and evaluation for SUD with ongoing care and complete wrap arounds services, including counseling, case management, recovery and peer support.
Opioid Use Disorder Program
Individuals meet with our medical staff and counselors via video conferencing, without having to travel to a clinic or treatment facility. With our program, there are no waitlists, no travel, no traffic, and no hassles.
Suboxone
Our medical staff prescribes and monitors medications that allow individuals to stop abusing opioids. Medications are typically Buprenorphine/Naloxone as Suboxone or generic. In addition, we prescribe NarCan as a preventive measure.
Counseling
Our counselors meet with you online via telemedicine - through a smart phone, tablet, or computer, making it convenient no matter where you live. Our curriculum is based on CBT and DBT and includes recovery skills, relapse prevention, anger management, emotional regulation, coping skills, and more.
Prescription Drug Monitoring
Our program rigorously checks the state prescription drug monitoring programs to ensure abuse or diversion is avoided and prevented.
Drug Screening
Drug screens are conducted monthly. In addition, labs and confirmatory tests are conducted when clinically appropriate.
Case Management
Bright Heart Health provides case management services to assist individuals with including housing, employment, social support, insurance enrollment, and other related needs.
Recovery and Peer Support
Bright Heart Health provides free recovery and peer support programs. In addition to our support groups, a support specialist works with clients to assist individuals in their recovery.
Substance Use Disorder Program
Patients are evaluated for outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment services. Physicians may prescribe medication, such as naltrexone, appropriate to the disorder. For ongoing care, patients attend individual and group therapy, and meet with our medical staff and counselors via video conferencing, without having to travel to a clinic or treatment facility. With our program, there are no waitlists, no travel, no traffic, and no hassles.
Naltrexone, Disulfiram, Acamprosate
Our medical staff prescribes and monitors medications that allow individuals to stop abusing alcohol or other substances. In addition, our psychiatrists can assess medications for other behavioral health disorders.
Counseling
Our counselors meet with patients online via telemedicine - through a smart phone, tablet, or computer, making it convenient no matter where you live. Our curriculum is based on CBT and DBT and includes recovery skills, relapse prevention, anger management, emotional regulation, coping skills, and more.
Prescription Drug Monitoring
Our program rigorously checks the state prescription drug monitoring programs to ensure abuse or diversion is avoided and prevented.
Drug Screening
Drug screens are conducted monthly. In addition, labs and confirmatory tests are conducted when clinically appropriate.
Case Management
Bright Heart Health provides case management services to assist individuals with including housing, employment, social support, insurance enrollment, and other related needs.
Recovery and Peer Support
Bright Heart Health provides free recovery and peer support programs. In addition to our support groups, a support specialist works with clients to assist individuals in their recovery.
Success Starts in the Emergency Room
D'Onofrio and colleagues researched patients receiving three different approaches to D’Onofrio and colleagues designed a clinical trial to test the efficacy of three strategies for referral and intervention in the ED of a large, urban teaching hospital. All patients in the ED during hours when a research associate (RA) was present were screened for opioid use disorder and eligibility for the study. Over 70,000 people were screened between April 2009 and June 2013. Of the 1,201 opioid using patients, 329 were eligible and randomized to the three conditions described below.
Regarding the primary outcome, treatment engagement rates were significantly higher for patients in the buprenorphine-naloxone group (89 of 114; 78%) than the referral (38 of 102; 37%) and brief intervention (50 of 111; 45%) groups. The buprenorphine-naloxone group reported significantly greater reduction in mean number of days of illicit drug use per week (reduction from 5.4 to 0.9 days) compared to the referral group (5.4 to 2.3 days) and brief intervention group (5.6 to 2.4 days). Patients in all groups reduced use over time with more pronounced reductions in the MAT group.
See abstract here.
Direct Access
The Emergency Department is a revolving door for opioid addicts in many areas. To address this problem, we are partnering with Emergency Departments to provide ongoing treatment to patients who present in the ER.
Through our service, Emergency Departments have Direct Access to telemedicine services or referral and appointment scheduling through our paperless intake system to ensure patients have ongoing treatment services upon discharge.
Preparing Emergency Room Staff
Bright Heart Health has collaborated with multiple Emergency Departments to train providers and case managers on opioid treatment solutions. In addition, we have collaborated with ED Bridge, a program designed for assisting emergency room providers in administering buprenorphine. Dr. Andrew Herring, who is leading the ED Bridge program, and is a Bright Heart Health physician has been instrumental in developing links between Emergency Departments and Bright Heart Health.
Bright Heart Health can provide protocols, training, support services, and ongoing treatment to help Emergency Departments treat the opioid epidemic.
Fees and Admissions
Insurance
We accept most major insurance companies. Before starting, we will explain coverage and costs.
Medicaid
Bright Heart Health accepts Medicaid, Medi-cal, and other publicly funded programs.
Uninsured and Underinsured
Bright Heart Health is funded by Federal and state grants to cover qualifying individuals for treatment. Please call to learn if treatment services are available under these programs.