BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS ASSIST IN BATTLING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

Opioids kill more than 130 Americans every day. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since 2000 the rate of overdose deaths has increased by 137 percent, with a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids. While these numbers are jarring, and there is no doubt substance use disorder (SUD) continues to devastate communities across the country, positive strides are being taken every day.

Between shifting legislation, increased federal spending for behavioral health initiatives and new services being added to care plans to mitigate this epidemic, people with SUD have more access to treatment and support services than ever. However, it’s becoming harder for health and human services agency staff to handle their behavioral health case management and grant reporting needs.

That’s why we do what we do.

Our Blue Compass behavioral health case management and data reporting platform has the robust functionality and features needed to assist our customers in fighting the opioid epidemic. The solution, originally developed as Web Infrastructure for Treatment Services (WITS) in 2003, was created as a pilot program for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The initial program served four state and county agencies and has since expanded to serve customers in more than 30 states and counties. Over time, we worked with our state and county customers to enhance our solution to offer a truly comprehensive clinical and service coordination solution for provider organizations to manage their clients through intake, assessment, admission, enrollment and treatment.

Our platform prioritizes cross-agency collaboration with its data collection and reporting capabilities and helps our customers remain compliant with state and federal grants. Our experience and ongoing partnership with SAMHSA have given us firsthand knowledge of reporting requirements, and we have integrated them into our solution. Standard reporting forms, coupled with a centralized data repository and real-time ad-hoc reporting, allow agencies to share ideas, data and resources efficiently and make data-supported decisions about delivery of care. Communication between agencies is vital to supporting those with wrap-around service needs and those in various stages of prevention, treatment and recovery.

Additional modules for this solution include mobile crisis programs that support opioid response management services and integration with specialty courts programs.

While we know our solutions can never replace the vital community that supports those with behavioral health needs, we can streamline the processes for agency staff members so those in need can receive funded, data-supported care from appropriate resources. Our Blue Compass behavioral health case management solution does exactly that.