At a press conference October 19, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Story County Medical Center proudly announced their participation in the Billion Pill Pledge program, launched in conjunction with Goldfinch Health.
Surgery has long been known as a gateway to long-term opioid painkiller use and dependence. Studies show approximately 9% of surgery patients who have never used an opioid become long-term users of opioids after being legally prescribed opioids after a surgery.
"My greatest hope for all of this, which I think is well within reach, is this: that Iowa can lead the way to show other states how you can have a great hospital like this that’s doing a great job with patient care. There was no problem here. But, you can take the best and you can make it even better," Attorney General Bird says.
The mission of the Billion Pill Pledge is to reduce leftover opioids after surgery in the United States by 1 billion pills each year, thereby avoiding those pills being possibly diverted to unauthorized use by others.
Through the Billion Pill Pledge program, Story County Medical Center has enhanced its surgery protocols and optimized pain management around surgery. These industry-leading approaches are designed to enhance patients’ preparation for surgery, better manage any surgery-related pain, and minimize opioid use both before and after surgery.
“We are excited to launch this critical first dose prevention program at our hospital,” says Nate Thompson, Story Medical CEO. “Opioid challenges are not just patient challenges. They are community challenges. The Billion Pill Pledge program will help us to better serve our community."
As a part of this program, patients will receive a “Prepared for Surgery” care package prior to surgery. This box includes a number of items key to optimizing a patient’s surgery experience, including an opioid disposal bottle, pre-surgery drink, ice packs and more. Nurses from Goldfinch Health are supporting patients during the critical period before and after surgery to help increase the use of opioid-minimizing surgery protocols.
“The support provided by Goldfinch Health is critical to our success in optimizing patient care, especially when our resources are stretched,” says Cathy Haley, RN, Director of Outpatient Clinic & Surgical Services at Story Medical. “This program means our patients have access to the resources they need to confidently prepare for and successfully recover from surgery.”
Goldfinch Health is an Iowa City-based company dedicated to enhancing surgical outcomes, improving the surgery experience for patients, and reducing opioid use. Late last year, Goldfinch Health launched the Billion Pill Pledge - an opioid first dose prevention program.
For more information about the Billion Pill Pledge program, please contact Meredith Allan at Meredith.Allan@goldfinchhealth.com.
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About Story County Medical Center
Story County Medical Center (www.storymedical.org) has been a trusted provider of high-quality local healthcare to the residents of Story County for more than 70 years. Based in Nevada, Story Medical is a 17-bed federally designated Critical Access Hospital, offering comprehensive services including primary care, outpatient specialty services, acute inpatient hospital care, nursing home care and more. All services are provided by dedicated professionals committed to delivering the Best Experience Every Time. Story Medical is a proud participant in the Billion Pill Pledge program aimed at reducing leftover opioids after surgery across the country by 1 billion pills per year.
About Goldfinch Health
Goldfinch Health (www.goldfinchhealth.com) is a company who works to enhance surgical care, support patients surrounding surgery and encourages opioid minimizing pain management post surgery. Late last year, Goldfinch Health launched the Billion Pill Pledge - an opioid first dose prevention program.
About the Billion Pill Pledge
The Billion Pill Pledge (www.billionpillpledge.com) program extends education and resources to hospitals and providers serving rural communities statewide. Deploying evidence-based approaches to pain management around surgery, the Billion Pill Pledge program aims to enact long-term change for hospitals and the communities they serve. The mission of the Billion Pill Pledge is to reduce leftover opioids after surgery in the United States by 1 billion pills each year.
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