Iowa Department of Public Health Grant Funds Innovative New Project at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is in its first year of implementing an innovative Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program between different MercyOne Des Moines departments.

SBIRT has been defined by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention for individuals with risky alcohol and drug use, and the timely referral to more intensive substance abuse treatment for those who have substance abuse disorders.

The SBIRT program identifies patients who are either currently struggling with a substance use disorder or may be at risk of developing a substance use disorder, and provides the tools and assistance needed for individuals who are struggling with substance use. This program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Behavioral Health. Funding for this program is made possible by the State Opioid Response (CFDA 93.788) SAMHSA federal grant.

MercyOne Des Moines is one of three organizations in the state to be awarded this grant to implement SBIRT in the hospital and clinical setting. IDPH awarded MercyOne Des Moines $100,000 for the first year of this program with additional funding anticipated to continue and expand the project over the next few years.

This SBIRT program is a collaborative effort between different MercyOne Des Moines departments, including Pain Management and Trauma, and MercyOne House of Mercy. This preventative service is helping provide patients with the best possible care, SBIRT is among the top 4 highest ranking preventive services, based on health impact and cost effectiveness.

“Our data shows us there are many patients in the hospital who are at risk of developing or have substance use disorders,” said Justin Edwards, SBIRT project coordinator.

The implementation of SBIRT will also ensure that individuals who already meet the criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis are connected to the right resource, whether it’s referral to a treatment facility or counseling.

Select MercyOne Des Moines departments and service lines will receive universal screening for all patients when they are admitted or transferred in. Those areas currently include: Trauma Services, Progressive Care Unit and any patient who receives a consultation from a Pain Clinician. If the patient’s initial screening indicates risky drug and/or alcohol use, a targeted screening will take place, which heavily mirrors the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders.

Providers will then be able to review the results of these screenings in the patient’s medical record. Plans for expanding the SBIRT program include screening in MercyOne Pain Center, Iowa Heart Center and the Emergency Department (ED). The SBIRT program intends to expand to offer screening to all MercyOne hospital and clinic patients when possible.

“In the field of addiction medicine, if a person has any form of a substance use disorder then it is risky to offer any type of mood altering substance in their treatment,” said Justin. “If our providers are unaware of this then they are unable make the best recommendations for their patient.”

Research supports the integration of universal SBIRT implementation across the health continuum, as SBIRT implementation is associated with lower healthcare costs and reduced ED admissions.

With the added stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients are being impacted in many ways, including increased numbers turning to alcohol and others substances, making this project an important priority now more than ever.

As the SBIRT program grows throughout MercyOne, physicians and nurses are becoming more aware of the signs to look for if a patient is high-risk or experiencing symptoms consistent with a substance use disorder. Justin expressed his excitement for the success already being seen by the SBIRT program, which is helping physicians and patients make better health care decisions.

“We are able to show our leaders and our providers how important SBIRT is and that patients are taking advantage of this service,” said Justin. “Preventative health care is what will help our community stay healthy.”

MercyOne Des Moines Foundation helped secure this vital grant funding and helps manage this grant on behalf of MercyOne.

For more information on SBIRT Iowa, please visit www.idph.iowa.gov/sbirt.