Why Opioid Safety?

Opioid analgesics are currently responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than the number of deaths from both suicide and motor vehicle crashes combined. Overdose deaths from prescribed medications exceed those from illicit substances including  cocaine and heroin. This trend is mirrored by the rise in per capita prescribing and dispensing of pain medications by licensed physicians.

Opioids, natural and synthetic forms of opium widely used as painkillers, include hydrocodone (Vicodin or Norco), oxycodone (Percocet or Oxycontin), fentanyl, codeine, morphine, and methadone. As a result of misleading claims from pharmaceutical companies and consumer demand, clinicians have underestimated the risks of addiction and prescribed opioids for more conditions, longer durations, and higher doses than at any other time in the past. Communities and health centers in Aliados Health’s four-member counties are significantly impacted by this national epidemic.

PROGRAM

What We Do

The epidemic is taking its toll in local communities throughout Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and Yolo counties. Local coalitions have been shown to be effective by uniting health care providers, health plans, public health advocates, law enforcement, schools & educators, victims, and concerned citizens to take action. Together we can change how pain is managed and still treat people in pain.

Guidelines and Protocols

To access the guidelines listed below, click here:

  • Aliados Health Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Detailed
  • Aliados Health Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Summary
  • ED Opioid Guideline 1 pager Spanish
  • ED Opioid Guideline 1 pager English
  • Aliados Health Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment Guidelines Corrected July 2018
  • Aliados Health Dental Guidelines on Acute Pain Management

Clinical Decision Support

Under Development

Promising Practices

Under Development

Trainings

Aliados Health Training Calendar

Interventions

Graphic description of Aliados Health's opioid safety projects

Aliados Health has been engaged in a multi-year process to address pain management and opioid safety. As a member of the California Opioid Safety Network, Aliados Health’s opioid safety coalition is participating in the Accelerator Program, led by the Center for Health Leadership & Practice at the Public Health Institute.  This is a two-year project supported by the California Health Care Foundation to help build capacity at a local level to strengthen impact in reducing the negative impact of the opioid epidemic. Aliados Health will build upon strategies initiated as part of the Collaborative Action for Opioid Safety Project (2016-2017) and collaborate with coalitions in the region.

Project Timeline

January 2018 – January 2019

PROJECT PARTNERS

Health Centers:

  • Alexander Valley Health Center
  • Alliance Medical Center
  • Coastal Health Alliance
  • CommuniCare Health Centers
  • Marin City Health and Wellness
  • Marin Community Clinics
  • OLE Health
  • Petaluma Health Center
  • Ritter Center
  • Santa Rosa Community Health
  • Sonoma County Indian Health Project
  • Sonoma Valley Community Health Center
  • West County Health Centers
  • Winters HealthCare Foundation

Strategic Partners:

PROJECT CONTACT

For more information, please contact Michelle Rosaschi

ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER INITIATIVES

  • Behavioral Health Integration
  • Complex Care Initiative
  • Whole Person Care

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND COMPANION DOCUMENTS

Links to Data Dashboards by County

Link to CHCF Opioid Safety Coalitions Network Website

Link to Tackling an Epidemic: An Assessment of the California Opioid Safety Coalitions Network

CCC Substance Use Warm Line

Coming soon: Link to Sonoma County Health Action Safe Opioid Prescribing for Health Care Providers