BIRMINGHAM, Ala. & VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- NaphCare, Inc., a leading correctional healthcare provider, and the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office today announced the roll-out of an advanced protocol to proactively treat opioid withdrawal within the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. The new approach provides tapered administration of an opioid treatment medication called buprenorphine to assist patients with severe and sometimes life-threatening symptoms with a safer withdrawal.
“The traditional approach to managing opioid detox in jails has been to monitor the patient as they go through withdrawal and administer comfort medications to blunt symptoms,” said Emily Feely, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for NaphCare. “However, patients can become very sick and may even be at risk of dying while going through detox. Our approach dramatically reduces the risks and symptoms associated with withdrawal.”
NaphCare is on a mission to improve the care of people suffering from opioid withdrawal in America’s jails and save lives, partnering with correctional systems, such as the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. According to estimates from the National Sheriffs' Association, at least half to two-thirds of the jail population has a drug abuse or dependence problem. Recent studies have shown a correlation in opioid withdrawal and suicide rates within jails. During the first six months of 2019, more than 1,200 Virginia Beach Correctional Center inmates required observation and treatment for detoxification from drugs and/or alcohol.
“The health and safety our inmate population is one of our top priorities,” said Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle. “Here at the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, we have seen all too clearly the impact of the opioid epidemic and the hazards of withdrawal. This new treatment protocol will make that process safer and ensure we can get offenders the help they need.”
NaphCare has launched its opioid withdrawal treatment program in more than 40 county and municipal correctional facilities nationwide, treating more than 500 patients daily for substance withdrawal.
About NaphCare, Inc.
NaphCare, Inc., partners with city, county, state and federal correctional facilities nationwide to provide proactive, patient-focused healthcare to more than 125,000 patients. The company’s innovative approach to correctional healthcare includes designing and implementing evidence-based clinical programs to address the specific challenges of the corrections environment. NaphCare provides comprehensive medical and mental health care, pharmaceuticals, onsite dialysis, offsite management services and a corrections-specific electronic operating system and health record (EHR), TechCare®.
For more than 30 years, NaphCare has been devoted to partnering with correctional institutions to provide quality healthcare to a unique and diverse population. NaphCare is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Additional information can be found on the company’s website: www.naphcare.com.