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Not all electronic health record (EHR) software solutions are created equal. As a substance abuse professional, you should be able to choose a software solution that has your specialty and facility’s specific needs in mind. Here are six things to look for in a substance abuse EHR: 1. Designed for Substance Abuse Substance abuse professionals…
When addiction treatment professionals are able to follow a client from intake through different services and treatments to an outcome, they are said to be following a “Golden Thread” of information. This Golden Thread should be able to “pull” relevant client data from one service or stage of treatment to the next. Proper documentation and…
Sending offenders to rehab instead of prison could have numerous benefits, some research suggests. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation may provide some relief for the ongoing opioid crisis, prison overpopulation, and rising government debt. Drug rehab and addiction treatment for offenders saves money for communities and individuals. An estimated 50 percent of the U.S. prison population…
As addiction treatment remains out of reach for many individuals in the United States, a growing black market has emerged for buprenorphine, a medication often used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Buprenorphine in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) MAT combines prescribed medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to support addiction recovery. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are FDA-approved drugs…
Did you know there’s an association for EHR developers in the United States? When looking for an EHR provider, there are good reasons to first consider a member of the Electronic Health Record Association (EHRA). What is EHRA? The EHRA was created in 2004 to help EHR developers collaborate and resolve common concerns among their…
As behavioral health and addiction treatment gets more attention across the nation, Idaho is taking steps to tackle mental health issues. Here’s the latest behavioral-health news across the state. Idaho Receives “F” Grade for Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Coverage Idaho has received an “F” on compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity…
In October 2018, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the accreditation nonprofit CARF International (CARF) announced a partnership to launch a pilot program for certification of addiction treatment programs. The pilot program will assess treatment programs on their ability to adhere to a specific level of care, based on ASAM criteria. To start,…
Provider burnout is increasing across the United States, rising about 20 percent between 2011 and 2014, researchers from Mayo Clinic Proceedings found. This creates health hazards for clinicians and their patients. What is “Burnout”? Generally, burnout is defined as feelings of physical and emotional exhaustion, increased cynicism, lower motivation, and even feelings of pointlessness or…
Chronic pain affects millions of Americans, creating an estimated $600 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity. While certain medications can help reduce pain and maintain quality of life, their long-term use comes with significant risks. A growing body of research shows that the right treatment approach can improve patient safety, even for…
Kanban is a visual system that helps manage workflow. The word “kanban” is Japanese for “visual signal” or “card.” This system can help teams communicate the work to be done and when to do it, and can help identify and fix bottlenecks to help the work proceed most efficiently. Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer for…