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County approves data‑sharing agreement with University Hospital to expand overdose quick‑response pilot
Summary
Essex County approved a business associate agreement with University Hospital to let the county Quick Response Team access hospital case information to conduct outreach to nonfatal overdose survivors; county officials say about 250 people are awaiting contact under the pilot, which could be extended by a four‑year federal SAMHSA grant.
Essex County commissioners approved a business associate agreement with University Hospital in Newark to support the county’s Quick Response Team, which conducts outreach to people who suffered nonfatal drug overdoses.
Joel Torres, Division of Community Health Services (SEG 335), said the pilot launched in December and currently has a case manager and a peer recovery specialist on staff. “Currently, they have about 250 individuals who are waiting to be contacted by our team, but we need to wait until this agreement is approved,” Torres said. The agreement allows the hospital to share case information with county outreach staff so the team can follow up within 24 to 72 hours of an overdose response.
Torres said the county began the pilot with the sheriff’s department and first responders are responsible for a large share of overdose responses. He told commissioners the county has applied for and received a federal grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that is structured as a potential four‑year award; if sustained, Torres said, the grant would help extend the program and provide medical team support through partnerships with Rutgers.
Commissioners asked whether the pilot would become permanent; Torres said the federal grant and continued performance would be the path toward a longer‑term program. The board moved and approved the business associate agreement by roll call.
