Your Stories: Mercy Emergency Department Hosts Harm Reduction Education

Noelia, Recovery Coach; Edna Rodriguez, Director of Behavioral Health; Kyle, Tapestry Educator; and Patrick, Recovery Support Nurse.

The first in a series of education events around harm reduction interventions for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) was recently held in the Emergency Department at Mercy Medical Center. The initiative, held in collaboration with Tapestry Health, is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to support substance use disorder services at Mercy.

Around 30 colleagues from different disciplines including nursing, medical staff, ED support staff, and security, attended the event to learn about harm reduction services in Springfield and also obtained Narcan to carry with them.

“This is the beginning of a pioneer model where community providers come to Mercy, helping us to build competent staff to help people with substance use disorders while also helping us build trust with our patients,” said Edna Rodriguez, LP-PsyD, Director of Behavioral Health at Mercy. “We believe interventions like this will save lives in Springfield!”

Submitted by Edna Rodriguez, LP-PsyD, Director of Behavioral Health, Mercy Medical Center.

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