Centers of Excellence will remain open

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Local Centers of Excellence are not going anywhere despite the spread of the coronavirus.

COEs, an initiative by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration, offer behavioral, mental health and primary care services to people with opioid-use disorders to ensure they can receive treatment and maintain continued follow-up care and support within the community.

The 45 centers throughout Pennsylvania have been funded through the state Department of Human Services since 2016 to help curb opioid addiction through treatment.

Locally, there are centers operated by SPHS in Monessen and Washington.

Cheryld Emala, executive of innovation, oversees the two centers, which have been approved by the state to continue to offer in-person and telemedicine services to those in recovery through COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

While services are being offered through video and conference calling, the COEs are maintaining office and clinic hours to those in need who cannot or choose not to use telemedicine or receive services in their home.

Telemedicine can be delivered through audio-video conferencing hosted by a secure mobile telehealth application, or if a secure telehealth app is not available, apps such as FaceTime, Skype or Zoom are used.

“We started using this type of service about a month ago,” Emala said. “We knew this might be coming and wanted to be ready. Since then, it has been about adapting to our environment.”

Emala said there are more than 800 active patients who use COE services.

“Our communities have seemed to really enjoy the video conferencing and telephone calls,” she said. “So it seems to be working well for us.”

While referrals have slowed down, she wants the community to know services are readily available.

“We are still here to support our communities and those who need us,” Emala said. “We have not gone anywhere.”

While some workers are still going into the community, precautions are being taken.

“We typically see everyone in person, and we can still do that if necessary, but we are taking precautions,” she said. “If we know someone who is struggling, or a family member is worried about someone and they have not had contact, we reach out.”

Before making a house call, Emala said they do a short medical screening to ensure workers are safe.

“We are wearing protective gear while we are out, calling to make sure they do not have symptoms or are sick before we go,” she said. “But we also know the services we provide are important.

“We take them to life-sustaining appointments, make sure they are connected with resources to have groceries and have all of their basic needs covered. But keeping our staff safe is just as important as the services we provide to the community.”

It’s a delicate balance for Emala and her staff.

“We all are showing up every day and realize without the services we provide, people could die,” she said. “With orders from the state to permit us to use telemedicine and continue operations, we are able to work, still be paid and save lives of the people who might otherwise go without the help they needed during an already difficult time.”

The most important thing to remember, Emala said, is to not be afraid to pick up the phone.

“If you need us, call us,” she said. “We will be there, come there, do whatever we need to do.

“This is not the time to feel like there is not help. There is no need to wait. We are here for whoever needs us.”

The COE has an 89% treatment rate for those who use its services.

For information, or help, call 1-888-810-8595.