Socorro General Hospital

At Socorro General Hospital, we felt like we were already light years ahead in Substance Use Disorder treatment and reducing stigma. When New Mexico Bridge came in, it made us look at every part of our program and we realized that that there is always room to improve quality care for our patients. Early on when we looked at the New Mexico Bridge implementation checklist, we thought we had done most of the things on the checklist. Once we started reaching out to the doctors, we realized not everyone had their DEA x-waiver. Some doctors were fearful of suboxone and thought it was a dangerous medicine. We continued, with the help of the NM bridge program, to identify misconceptions about Substance Use Disorder and treatment of Substance Use Disorder.

The support from New Mexico Bridge was invaluable getting the entire staff on board, increasing our ability to help patients in need. Our nurses and doctors had previous stigma training, but when we had additional training through New Mexico Bridge, it really improved understanding and empathy. Now all of our providers have DEA x-waivers and understand treating Substance Use Disorder. Our Emergency Room doctors, who treat everyone for a variety of medical needs, now really understand Substance Use Disorder is no different than other acute and chronic diagnoses. These patients just have a diagnosis that requires Medically Assisted Therapy. Long before New Mexico Bridge, we started a program for Emergency Room doctors to write prescriptions for suboxone for a couple days and send patients to an outpatient suboxone program, but it was slow to start. Our program was emerging, but it really wasn’t until New Mexico Bridge came in and helped us with data and training that it began to flourish.

One of our biggest successes is now we are seeing 100% of our Emergency Room doctors writing prescriptions for Medicated Assisted Therapy and connecting patients with appropriate follow-up. The New Mexico Bridge program has made a huge difference. The New Mexico Bridge program would be invaluable at any facility no matter the size.

Steven Stewart, MD

Hello my name is Joshua Lopez, I am an ER nurse and I have been working in critical care for 7 years. I have a checkered past that that involves drugs, gang violence, incarceration, and addiction. I am grateful to be where I am today and I don’t take it for granted. I was introduced to drugs at an early age and statistically speaking I should’ve been dead or in prison. I continue to challenge myself to be all that I can be to make a difference in this world by sharing my story of recovery and showing compassion in the areas serve. I attended a class provided by NM Bridge that shed light on the major problems we face in the opioid epidemic. I appreciate the science that was presented about how addiction can progress into a disease and how treatments for this disease are available. Also, the stigma following addiction which was presented in the class brought forth a different perspective about how we can work together as healthcare professionals to improve quality care by adjusting behavior toward drug abuse and addiction. Having lived the life of an addict, I appreciate that this class can help change lives by helping medical staff understand addiction as a disease. I believe this class helps us move in the right direction in bringing awareness of treatment options for people who struggle with opioid addiction.

Joshua Lopez | ER Nurse