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Grant allows Colo. hospitals to expand ER opioid addiction treatment

Two hospitals received $400,000 each, which allows them to keep patients in their emergency rooms until they start showing withdrawal symptoms

AURORA, Colo. — Two hospitals received grants that will allow them to expand opioid addiction treatment in their emergency rooms.

9News reported that the UCHealth and St. Anthony North Health Campus each received $400,000 from the Office of Behavioral Health, which will fund a new program that offers addicts a drug to combat addiction.

“We’ve had people crying saying they’ve gone to emergency department to emergency department asking for help and that everyone treats them like an addict, trying to get oxy on their way out the door. But, we’re actually treating them as a person with a chronic disease,” Angela Khoshnoud, UCHealth ER management team leader, said.

Under their Medication Assisted Treatment program, UCHealth staff members keep overdose patients in the ER until they begin to exhibit signs of withdrawal, which can take up to 24 hours. Then, they are given Suboxone, which helps them fight the side effects of addiction.

Khoshnoud said while it is still early in the program, she’s seen signs of success.

“Patients with opioid use disorder have been trying to get help. But if you’re homeless, you don’t have a phone, don’t have a valid ID, don’t have insurance, you can’t just walk in and refer yourself,” Khoshnoud said.

UCHealth hopes to expand the program to other hospitals in the state in the future.

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