SDAHO and the SDDOH Provide Hope for Opioid Use Disorders Through ED Toolkit and Media Partners

​The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO)’s Quality Integration team’s efforts to help member facilities combat opioid use disorders, with the ED Toolkit, was recently highlighted in the Midwest Medical Edition.

The ED (Emergency Department) Toolkit is an interactive guide for providers and staff to help support them improving care for at risk patients with substance and opioid use disorders. The project began in 2019 and was funded by the OD2A (Overdose Data to Action) CDC Cooperative Agreement. Since then a statewide assessment was conducted, with improvement implemented to better serve facilities and communities in need. SDAHO’s Quality Integration team became involved in 2021 to assist the State of South Dakotas in its outreach efforts.  The team actively works with member facilities to help them better understand and implement the toolkit. The recent Midwest Medical Edition article outlines those efforts.

Michelle Hofer, BSN, RN, CPHQ, a Clinical Improvement Consultant, helped craft the recent article, resulting in a Q&A style publication. “Some locations have chosen to incorporate multiple pieces of the toolkit at once, while others have chosen to start with one item and then add on as able. This is not a one-size-fits-all toolkit. We are available to meet 1:1 with facilities for evaluation and training as desired.” Michelle Hofer, Clinical Improvement Consultant, SDAHO

Through the questions and answers provided by Hofer, readers will get a better understanding of the importance of the ED Toolkit, available for hospitals, clinics and others interested entities. Unfortunately this comes at a time when substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) are worsening in our state. “When a patient suspected of overdoes presents to your facility for help, will you and your staff know how to help them? The resources are available and the time to act is NOW.” Michelle Hofer, Clinical Improvement Consultant, SDAHO

To read the Full Article, click here.

To learn more about ED Toolkit or for an in-depth review of your facility and resources available, please contact SDAHO’s Clinical Improvement Consultants:

• Loretta Bryan          loretta.bryan@sdaho.org
• Michelle Hofer         michelle.hofer@sdaho.org

Click here for more information on the ED toolkit.