How Peer Recovery Coaches Save lives in the Emergency Department

Here at GBMC, every adult patient who comes through the Emergency Department (ED) is screened for substance use via a series of questions asked by the ED nurse. The questions are about the patient’s drug and/or alcohol use and are standardized for every patient. Our electronic medical record, called “Epic,” calculates a score based upon the responses and, if the score is positive, it will trigger a visual alert to the ED team caring for the patient (a nurse and an ED physician).
Epic also triggers a notification to the peer recovery coaches - recovering alcohol or drug users who have been extensively trained by Mosaic Community Services and embedded in the ED - to make them aware that a patient with a positive score is in the ED. A peer recovery coach meets with every patient whose scores are positive and talks with him or her to obtain additional information. They can provide each patient with an early intervention and offer resources as appropriate.
The coaches have standardized questions they ask these patients, which are later documented in Epic, so the rest of the care team is able to view the answers and come up with the best treatment plan for that patient. The coaches utilize Epic for follow-up appointments and will continue to meet with and support the patients, even after discharge. If necessary, they will also assist in setting up outpatient treatment and services.

[@gregorybantzjr2610]

This is the exact field I am currently in as a Peer Recovery Coach in Indiana. To see someone that is going through similar things that I, myself have experienced (addiction/ alcohol and or substance use disorder) and seeing them choose life by accepting help is the greatest reward!!!! This is a remarkable journey that pays me to love on people!!!! ALL LIVES TRULY MATTER!!!! I applaud and stand with the thousands of other peers dedicated to this cause of offering hope to those feeling hopeless and to bring light to someone's darkest hour...KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!! You Are All Making a Huge Difference; One Changed Life At a Time!!!! GOD BLESS

[@musicandmentalhealth]

Im a certified peer specialist located in NYC, and I'm so glad for programs like this and how the field is expanding!

[@atonkin0916]

I think this is awesome. I am training to become a Peer Recovery Coach and I am so excited to get started and share my experiences and all of my struggles with others so I can help them to get through this hard journey like I did.

[@musicandmentalhealth]

@@atonkin0916 lets connect!

[@atonkin0916]

I am training to be a Peer Recovery Coach and seeing videos like this one really gives me hope that other places will someday have great programs like yours. I am so excited to get started and help others and share my experiences and struggles to help them through.

[@dragonfly1153]

Thank you so much for this triumphant video. I am trying to make the same thing happen in Virginia with some difficulty. Your video was so encouraging. Would love to find out more about how this program got started, who put it together, more importantly, how the buy-in from hospital staff was achieved. Bravo, GBMC!!!!

[@gregorybantzjr2610]

It takes showing up and making connections with the leadership and their staff. Sit in on community meetings and participate to begin taking action locally, in your own communities. It takes time and people seeing consistency by us as professional social workers, hearing our stories whenever opportunities are made available, and educating our local communities about Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders. Is there Stigma associated with addiction? YES!!! We all have our own perceived biases in life, just as everyone else does. We combat those negative perceptions, their bias, and the stigma attached to Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders by education and a group committed to the cause to see it through! DONT GIVE UP...KEEP THE CONVERSATIONS ALIVE AND JOIN FORCES WITH OTHER LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS TO BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE :) GOD BLESS