(Greenwood, S.C., January 6, 2022) – Self Regional Healthcare was recently awarded a grant by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) to provide various Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services for its patients.
SBIRT is a public health approach for working with persons with substance use disorders and those whose use is at moderate and higher levels of risk.
SBIRT services include:
· Universal screening for quickly assessing severity of use of alcohol and illicit drugs, as well as prescription drug use and misuse.
· Brief motivational and awareness-raising intervention given to users who engage in risky or problematic behavior.
· Referrals to specialty care for patients with substance use disorders.
“We are very fortunate to be awarded this grant and to have this invaluable resource available at our hospital and in the community,” said Dr. Matthew Logan, President and CEO (elect) of Self Regional Healthcare. “We know all too well substance use rates are at an all-time high and being able to offer a service such as SBIRT is beneficial to treating high-risk substance-using patients and providing them with the optimal care they need.”
The grant for approximately $200,000 was effective November 30 and will enable Self Regional Healthcare to employ up to four full-time Peer Support Specialists in support of SBIRT programs in its hospital facilities. The Peer Support Specialists will work with patients over the age of 17 who present with substance use disorders in the emergency department and other areas of the hospital. Self Regional Healthcare will also designate one doctor as an “M.D. Champion” and one “Nurse Champion” to work with the Peer Support Specialists and support SBIRT services.
“The importance of these grant funds and this service can’t be understated,” said Dr. Selynto Anderson, Vice President of Community Health & Health Equity for Self Regional Healthcare. “We’ll now be able to offer even better care and assistance to many people who may be struggling in our community. It’s a huge step in the right direction.”
“Effects of unhealthy and unsafe alcohol and other drug use have far-reaching implications for the individual, family, workplace, community, and healthcare systems,” said DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby. “SBIRT services should be available in all healthcare settings, so we are excited by this opportunity to work with Self Regional Healthcare to intervene with individuals in need and connect them with the appropriate services.”
The grant is funded through an SBIRT Grant of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
For more information on SBIRT, visit scsbirt.com.
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About Self Regional Healthcare:
Self Regional Healthcare is a not-for-profit, regional referral hospital that provides care to residents of Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, Saluda, McCormick, Edgefield and Newberry counties. Services include prevention and wellness, acute care and tertiary care services including cancer care, neurosurgery, heart and vascular surgery, NICU, orthopedics and genetics. Self Medical Group is its employed physician affiliate network of 22 practices and more than 90 physicians.
