Nashville General Hospital is Recipient of New Opioid Treatment Grant

Nashville Jan. 9, 2024: Nashville General Hospital (NGH) is proud to announce its participation in the expansion of The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) Medication Assisted Treatment Emergency Department Induction project. NGH is among the select three hospitals statewide chosen to implement the second phase of this vital initiative, building upon the success of the original three hospitals involved in phase 1.

“Opioid and substance abuse in Tennessee and across our nation is a serious issue,” said Dr. Joseph Webb D.Sc., FACHE, chief executive officer. “Nashville metro was recently reported as having the second-highest rate of overdose deaths in major metropolitan cities in the U.S. This is an issue we need to address as a whole community, and I’m grateful NGH was chosen for this program expansion.”

The primary objective of the program is to administer the first doses of buprenorphine in the emergency room, effectively bridging the gap between immediate medical intervention and long-term recovery. Dr. DeAnn Bullock, Director of Emergency Medicine, emphasizes the significance of establishing a structured approach for physician training, referral, and treatment. She notes, "There are multiple obstacles to treating patients with substance abuse. Initiating appropriate treatment at the right place and right time when a patient is willing to receive treatment, ensuring patients have the necessary resources to access the treatment and facilitating the continuity of care for a successful long-term recovery are just some of the immediate challenges." The limited availability of addiction treatment services remains a significant hurdle. Our goal is that this program, in tandem with continuous efforts to enhance coordination between hospitals and addiction service providers, will lay the foundation for a more robust support system.

As an integral part of the program, Nashville General Hospital acknowledges the thoughtful design of the grant, allowing frontline medical providers, led by Dr. Bullock and her team, to contribute to the development of strategies that best serve our patients, the hospital, and the broader Nashville community. The opioid epidemic necessitates a unified, multi-faceted approach, and we commend the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, government agencies, and community organizations in addressing this pressing public health crisis. Together, we remain dedicated to working tirelessly to save lives, reduce stigma, and build a stronger support system for individuals affected by opioid use disorder.

About Nashville General Hospital

Founded in 1890 as City Hospital, the area’s original community hospital, Nashville General Hospital provides quality care for more than 58,000 patients each year, regardless of their ability to pay. Accredited by the Joint Commission, Nashville General Hospital’s mission is to improve the health and wellness of Nashville by providing equitable access to coordinated patient-centered care – including specialty care through the 24 clinics of the Nashville Healthcare Center – and training tomorrow’s clinical caregivers.

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