Saline Health introduces “StepOne” to battling addiction
Benton, Ark.-based Saline Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Evergreen Healthcare Partners, introduced the StepOne Service, a program designed to support individuals struggling with addiction. The program, launched at the start of 2024, serves as the initial phase in the recovery journey, providing hospital-based acute withdrawal management for adults in the early or impending stages of withdrawal from alcohol or opioids.
“During our bi-annual community needs assessments, addressing substance abuse disorder is nearly always identified as one of the most critical health care needs for this area,” said Saline Memorial Hospital CEO Michael Stewart. “We have been working diligently to address this need and believe this is in the first step toward providing hope and support for those battling addiction.”
The program begins with a pre-screening process, which can be initiated over the phone or online. Patients who meet the necessary criteria are then scheduled for admission to the hospital’s medical-surgical unit.
“This service is not for everyone,” said Bryan Jensen, cofounder and CEO of Evergreen Healthcare partners. “Patients seeking this treatment must meet medical criteria, be in the early stages of withdrawal and be properly motivated for their recovery.”
Once admitted, patients receive continuous medical care from the hospitalists and nurses at Saline Memorial Hospital. The treatment involves using protocol-specific medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms, with an average duration of about three days for opioid withdrawal and approximately five days for alcohol withdrawal.
“From admission to discharge, we have a clinical care team specially trained to work with withdrawal patients,” Stewart said. “Once we address their medical needs, these patients can focus on the next steps of their recovery.”
Following the initial treatment, the clinical team collaborates with patients to develop a long-term care plan, ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital to the next stage of their recovery at an appropriate facility or program. The care team continues to provide support for up to six months post-discharge.
“After withdrawal treatment, it is important for patients to continue on with some form of addiction treatment to learn coping strategies for maintaining sustained sobriety,” Jensen said. “StepOne Service will assist patients in finding the next appropriate treatment center so they can get the life skills and relapse prevention training they need.”