We at the Strategies to Coordinate Overdose Prevention Efforts (SCOPE) are proud to highlight the hard work of the City of Bethlehem Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Under the leadership of Jeffrey Fritz, Paramedic Supervisor, they have been able to have their entire full-time staff complete the SCOPE First Responders training program.
Working alongside the Bethlehem City Health Department, this innovative EMS agency is supporting the efforts of a program called the Hospital Overdose Support Team (HOST). HOST is a collaborative effort of the Lehigh County Single County Authority and the county’s hospitals to address substance use disorder and the challenges these patients face. By helping facilitate a warm handoff to the HOST program, Bethlehem EMS hopes to connect patients to a broader recovery-oriented system of care. Since January of 2017, HOST has made 841 referrals to treatment services for individuals living with substance use disorder.
SCOPE stands ready to help foster that relationship and provider technical assistance going forward. If your agency is interested in setting up a SCOPE First Responders training session, please contact scope@pitt.edu or call 412.439.9666 for more information. The training is approved for 4 hours of continuing education and agencies receive reimbursement for staff participation.