American Fork Hospital - Clean Out the Cabinet Campaign

Overview

Utah leads the nation in the abuse of prescription pain medication. In 2007, 519 people suffered drug-related deaths in Utah; of those, 317 were overdoses of prescription pain medication. Unintentional prescription pain medication overdoses were also the number one cause of injury deaths in Utah, even exceeding the number of injury deaths due to motor vehicle crashes. Perhaps most disturbing is the ease with which abusers obtain prescription pain medications. In a survey conducted by the state health department, 70 percent of those who abuse pain relievers said they got them from friends or relatives, typically without their knowledge.

For this reason, Intermountain Healthcare’s American Fork Hospital utilized its Community Outreach Council, a group of community volunteers, to implement its “Clean Out the Cabinet” campaign. The campaign sought to educate the community about prescription drug abuse, encourage people to properly dispose of expired or unused prescription medications, and warn people to store their medications in a secure place. Medication disposal sites were designated at four municipal and county offices within the hospital’s service area.

Impact

According to a state report on prescription drug-related deaths for 2008, for the first time in many years, there was a decline in the number of prescription drug-related deaths in Utah. Hospital leaders believe that by educating the community about prescription drug abuse and the ease with which individuals obtain potentially addictive medications, these efforts will reduce prescription drug abuse in the community.

Challenges/success factors

The hospital’s Community Outreach Council worked with a variety of stakeholders to promote the campaign, including the Utah County Health Department and business, religious, political and civic leaders. The Outreach Council approached the mayors of 15 cities in Utah County, who agreed to insert announcements of the initiative in residents’ city utility bills. Approximately 120,000 flyers were distributed that way. Council volunteers also worked with ecclesiastic leaders to distribute educational flyers through community churches. The business community, local Chambers of Commerce, various civic groups and the media also helped promote this effort.

Future direction/sustainability

The hospital conducted its “Clean Out the Cabinet” campaign again in 2010 with a goal to increase its effectiveness and reach in the community. The hospital involved its medical staff by encouraging physicians to educate patients on the appropriate use of prescription drugs and the proper disposal of unused medications. The hospital also provided community pharmacies with educational material to distribute with each potentially abusive prescription drug.

Advice to others

It was important to gain the support of community leaders, including mayors and city council members, to advance the cause. Without their support, the hospital would have been limited in its ability to communicate with key audiences. In addition, identifying and utilizing community members who were passionate about the issue served as a critical force in keeping the hospital aligned with objectives around the issue.

Contact: Kye Miner
Community Benefit Manager
Telephone: 801-357-7885
E-mail: Kye.miner@imail.org