Agencies in Winnebago County have come together to address the opioid crisis. These agencies formed the Winnebago County Opioid Response Team which is organized into 3 pillars to coordinate community activities and evidence-based strategies. These 3 pillars of focus are prevention, treatment, and recovery
PREVENTION
Healthcare systems throughout Winnebago County are working together to reduce opioid use disorder through effective management of prescribing and dispensing opioids. These healthcare systems are committed to managing pain while preventing potential opioid addiction and abuse in patients. The healthcare community has implemented prescribing standards.
- All prescriptions for opioids will be checked through the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (https://www.ilpmp.org/) and documented in the patient’s healthcare record.
- Prescriptions will be limited to three (3) days/72 hours from the emergency department, outpatient surgery centers within hospitals and in ambulatory surgery centers as well as in all urgent/immediate care settings.
- Primary care providers (PCPs), pain management specialists, or the managing physician will be responsible for pain management beyond the initial 3 days/72 hours, in communication with the initial prescriber as appropriate.
- Primary Care Providers will follow CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain or prescribing opioids beyond the initial 3 day/72 hours.
Each healthcare facility oversees the implementation of policies at their institutions to meet this Opioid Prescribing Standard.
In addition to the Opioid Prescribing Standard, work is being done to educate providers on alternative therapies for treatment of acute and chronic pain and to reduce stigma associated with opioid disorders. The community is also being asked to properly dispose of medication that are no longer needed.
TREATMENT
Opioids can be highly addictive but there are treatments available. The Opioid Response Team has been working to increasing the number of primary care providers who are integrating MAT (Medication Assisted Therapy) including buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and methone into primary care for patients.
RECOVERY
Naloxone is a medicine to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save a live. The Opioid Response team works to increase the number of individuals trained and with access to naloxone. Having naloxone and knowing how to use it can help those in their time of need so they can start their journey toward recovery. Over 1,000 people in our community have been trained to use naloxone and given a free naloxone kit.
