Iowa Grants Over $750K to Expand Billion Pill Pledge to Eight More Hospitals
Cherokee, Cherokee County, Iowa — Attorney General Brenna Bird announced at a press conference at Cherokee Regional Medical Center on October 30 that her office is granting $775,550 over two years to expand the Billion Pill Pledge to eight more Iowa hospitals.
The eight hospitals are Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant, and Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
The Billion Pill Pledge, a program by Goldfinch Health, supports hospitals in using best practice surgical protocols and educating on ways to manage pain other than with opiates. Patients get a “Prepared for Surgery Kit” before surgery and can work with a Goldfinch nurse before and after surgery. Goldfinch cofounder John Greenwood said peer-reviewed results show a reduction in the need for opioid refills by more than 80% and hospital readmissions by more than 75%. The grant is funded through the Attorney General's Opioid Settlement Fund.
“Programs that address the treatment, recovery, and prevention of opioid addiction in Iowa like the Billion Pill Pledge are saving lives,” said Attorney General Bird. “I'm happy to announce this grant today so eight more hospitals can join this incredible program and keep the number of highly addictive opioid pills out of Iowans' homes.”
Cherokee Regional Medical Center is a current member of the program. Its CEO and President Gary Jordan, who joined Bird at the press conference with surgeon Dr. John Greaves, said the center's efforts have resulted in significant opioid prescription reduction over several years.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Des Moines 的艾奥瓦州议会大厦。CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
