Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  •  

Some Rural California Hospitals Will Try To Prevent Overdoses With Opioid Treatment In The ER

  •  Sammy Caiola 
Friday, February 15, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio
 

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

More than 30 hospitals across California, many in rural areas, will soon be able to treat patients for opioid withdrawal on the spot.

The federally-funded program trains doctors on medication-assisted treatment. It’s a way of easing opioid withdrawal symptoms by giving someone a less addictive painkiller.

Hospitals typically send patients experiencing withdrawal to rehab for this type of care. In rural areas it can be difficult to find placements, and someone might overdose in the meantime.

Some studies show patients given addiction treatment immediately are more likely to follow through with getting clean than those who get referral information alone.

“They’re clear-headed, not craving, and I think that’s the reason we’ve had so much success in getting patients to treatment,” said Arianna Sampson, a physician assistant at the Marshall Medical Center in Placerville.

The state and the Public Health Institute, an Oakland-based nonprofit, chose the facilities, which will receive a total of $8 million.

Sampson’s hospital is using their grant on an emergency room navigator to help patients who’ve gotten the treatment find longer-term rehab. Other counties will use it to train doctors on medication-assisted treatment.

“Having a local program in rural communities is really a game changer,” Sampson says.

Some groups have raised concern about the use of buprenorphine, a drug commonly used in medication-assisted treatment, due to its potential for abuse. In California, public health experts largely support its use and have made multiple efforts to expand access to it. The state has another program providing buprenorphine to tribal communities.

This story was updated to clarify the role of the Public Health Institute.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 opioid

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sammy Caiola

Former Healthcare Reporter

Sammy Caiola has been covering medical breakthroughs, fitness fads and health policy in California since 2014. Before joining CapRadio, Sammy was a health reporter at The Sacramento Bee.  Read Full Bio 

 @sammycaiola Email Sammy Caiola

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

Courtesy of Pixabay

Interview: What Californians can expect with next year’s Covered California changes

August 15, 2022

Alain Jocard, Pool via AP

Sacramento County declares monkeypox a local public health emergency in response to rising cases

August 9, 2022

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Routine COVID-19 testing ends at Sacramento City Unified for upcoming school year

August 15, 2022

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: LA County moves out of high COVID-19 infection tier

‘Overwhelming’ inflation affecting Sacramento restaurants — and chicken spots may be hit hardest

Standard or daylight saving time? California changes its plans again after Congressional resolution.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: LA County moves out of high COVID-19 infection tier

‘Overwhelming’ inflation affecting Sacramento restaurants — and chicken spots may be hit hardest

Standard or daylight saving time? California changes its plans again after Congressional resolution.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.