MA Medical Society Welcomes Governor’s Opioid Report
Tuesday, June 23, 2015 GoLocalWorcester Health Team
The Massachusetts Medical Society welcomed the report of Governor Charlie Baker's Opioid Working Group, and pledged to continue to work with public and private officials to combat the opioid overdose epidemic.
SEE VIDEO BELOW: Governor Baker: "Opioid Addiction is a Health Care Issue"
"We appreciate that the working group addressed many of the issues we have discussed with Governor Baker, Attorney General (Maura) Healey, Secretary (Marylou) Sudders and their staffs," said Dennis M. Dimitri, M.D., president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. "We agree that because of the opioid crisis, we need a different approach to the prescribing and management of opioid medications. That is why we've taken a proactive approach to the issues, and launched a comprehensive program to educate physicians, other prescribers and the public last month."
After Baker and Healey's February meeting about opioid abuse, the MMS established an opioid abuse task force.
Dr. Dimitri specifically cited the working group's recommendations to improve the state's online prescription monitoring program. In addition to increasing access to naloxone by encouraging it to be prescribed in addition to opioid medications, Dimitri mentioned allowing the partial filling of opioid prescriptions without additional co-payments, expanding education for prescribers and the public, expanding access to intervention and treatment, and taking steps to destigmatize addiction.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital is a member of Partners Healthcare, a network which connects their facilities to other centers throughout Massachusetts such as MassGeneral. Newton-Wellesley Hospital is also partnered with Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Highlights: 84% of patients who have stayed at Newton-Wellesley confirmed that they would recommend the hospital.
Established in 1913, Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical center is committed to serving the communities of Quaboag Hills and Pioneer Valley. Wing Memorial Hospital joined UMass Medical Health Care, bolstering its already strong reputation and ensuring quality healthcare.
Highlights: 75% of Wing Memorial Hospital patients reported that they were informed and instructed before receiving any medication.
Athol Memorial hospital staffs 50 physicians to oversee 25 beds. Since 1950 the non-profit Athol Hospital has offered state of the art healthcare, renovating and importing new technology every few years.
Highlights: 82% of patients said that both their rooms and bathrooms at Athol Memorial hospital were always clean.
Southbridge’s own Harrington Memorial Hospital has served the South Central Massachusetts' community since 1931. Harrington Memorial is committed to providing quality healthcare for the local community while upholding their reputation.
Highlights: 82% of patients at Harrington Memorial claimed that their physicians communicated well with them.
Founded in 1911, this not-for-profit regional medical center is the only hospital on Nantucket Island.
Highlights: At Nantucket Cottage Hospital communication reigns supreme—88% of patients reported that their nurses always communicated well, and 86% said the same of doctors.
Founded in 1886 as the first hospital in Cambridge, Mount Auburn provides a number of clinical services to area residents, including cardiac catheterization, laboratory services, rehabilitation services, and specialized services for men, women and seniors.
Highlights: At Mount Auburn communication shines—82% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.
New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) offers nationally recognized expertise in orthopedic surgery, and is the official hospital of the legendary Boston Celtics, and has provided services to U.S.Olympic teams, elite athletic associations and individual elite athletes. But based on the responses, every patient is treated like an elite athlete.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at New England Baptist was incredibly positive—90% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
Since its incorporation in April 1921, Martha's Vineyard Hospital has been committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate medical care to each and every member of the Vineyard's year-round and seasonal community, as well as all who visit.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital was incredibly positive—83% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
Clinton Hospital is a 41-bed nonprofit, acute care community hospital. The mission of the hospital is to deliver high-quality, comprehensive services to the local and extended community with excellence, compassion and competence. Organized in 1889, Clinton Hospital has been a member of UMass Memorial Health Care since 1998.
Highlights: The overall patient experience at Clinton Hospital was incredibly positive—85% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.
An affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, Fairview Hospital has been the center of healthcare in the southern Berkshires for nearly a century. A federally-designated Critical Access Hospital, Fairview provides a full range of primary care services, including 24-hour Emergency Department, surgery, obstetrics, rehabilitation, cardiology and a comprehensive list of diagnostic services including state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and laboratory services as well as therapeutic and prevention programs that address the health needs of the community.
Highlights: This hospital that dedicates itself to compassionate care has much to crow about, particularly the work of its nurses, who 91% of respondents said always communicated well with them (the highest ranking in the Top 50).
The Massachusetts Medical Society welcomed the report of Governor Charlie Baker's Opioid Working Group, and pledged to continue to work with public and private officials to combat the opioid overdose epidemic. 
