RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery Launches its Second Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids Program

Newark, NJ, September 18, 2024, Treating painful, chronic medical conditions requires a comprehensive approach to pain management. The RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) is excited to announce its Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids (ED-ALT) program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC). The program aims to more effectively treat patients' pain and build healthier communities.

The program works with emergency department (ED) providers at NBIMC to effectively manage patients' pain and improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Patients will continue to receive individualized, evidence-based treatment for their pain management, which includes opioid medications and opioid alternative treatment options for those who are eligible. The ED-ALT program will include increased access to alternative treatments for pain management, such as non-opioid medications, physical therapy, exercise, injections, and neuromodulation.

Additionally, a multidisciplinary team that includes patient navigators will connect patients to community services and resources to address social determinants of health.

"We are thrilled to be expanding our highly successful ED-ALT program to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center," said Connie Greene, Senior Vice President, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery. "The program has proven to significantly help patients with painful, chronic conditions find critical pain relief while reducing their likelihood of opioid dependence for pain management."

The program will also work collaboratively with IFPR's Peer Recovery Program to support the identification of patients presenting with OUD and provide peer recovery support to patients. Greene added, "Combined with our existing Peer Recovery Program, the ED-ALT program expands our comprehensive, patient-centered approach to tackling addiction." Since its establishment in 2016, IFPR's Peer Recovery Program has provided low-barrier access to comprehensive recovery support services across RWJBH EDs and inpatient units to over 100,000 individuals.

"At NBIMC, we strive to improve our patient experience while providing the highest quality of care. I'm pleased to further develop NBIMC's partnership with IFPR and deliver comprehensive pain management options to our emergency department patients," said Darrell K. Terry, Sr., MHA, MPH, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey. "The ED-ALT program at NBIMC will help advance our commitment to building healthier communities."

Additionally, the program works in partnership with the RWJBH Pain Collaborative to expand its goal of developing, disseminating and implementing multidisciplinary solutions designed to more effectively address patients' pain and improve patients' quality of life. Through this partnership, the RWJBarnabas Health Pain Collaborative has the opportunity to pilot innovative treatment solutions across the system.

IFPR is able to implement the ED-ALT program at NBIMC through a grant-$1,500,000 over three years-from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program builds on the transition of care model and standardized pain management plans developed through the ED-ALT Demonstration Program implemented by IFPR at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) over the past three years.

For more information about the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery, visit the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery website or call 833-233-IFPR (4377).

About the Institute for Prevention and Recovery

The RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) is a leader in creating the systems and services necessary to improve the health of communities throughout New Jersey. For more than 30 years, IFPR has provided substance use disorder prevention programs, nicotine and tobacco treatment and innovative recovery support and social care services, taking a systems change approach to address social determinants of health and enhance care delivery systems throughout RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey.

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