Our region continues to see a rise in opioid overdose deaths and increased instances of fentanyl in the drug supply.
Joshua Lynch, DO, medical director of emergency medicine at DeGraff Medical Park, also serves as the chief medical officer of The MATTERS Network – a collection of resources to initiate care, increase access to medication, and efficiently link patients with opioid use disorder, other substance use disorders, and mental health issues to appropriate treatment through an electronic platform.
Kaleida Health utilizes this electronic platform to refer patients from its emergency departments and inpatient units upon discharge to connect them with the resources, support and treatment they need. The MATTERS program is available for Kaleida Health's outpatient clinics to utilize as well.
The MATTERS Network has newly-expanded resources for Kaleida Health staff and patients, including:
- Free 24/7 emergency telemedicine evaluations and virtual treatment hotline: 716-463-6222
- Access to prescription for buprenorphine (Suboxone) if appropriate
- Ability to setup an appointment anywhere in Western New York. There are about 250 weekly appointment slots in Western New York alone and about 2,000 across New York State. Most appointments are available the next day
- Free MATTERS mobile app (search "Matters Network" on Google Play or App Store)
- Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips to members of the public and healthcare institutions via the MATTERS mobile app
Please feel free to use this resource when caring for patients with opioid use disorder, substance use disorders and mental health issues. For questions, call the main phone number at 765-MATTERS or info@mattersnetwork.org. Medical staff is also welcome to reach out to Dr. Lynch via Imprivata Cortext.