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Powell Recovery Center shows data-driven gains in retention and ED use, asks city to partner on real-time interventions

Baltimore City Council Public Health and Environment Committee ยท April 1, 2026

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Summary

Powell Recovery Center presented a practice-based data warehouse that linked EHR, labs, pharmacy and public records; the center reported measurable retention improvements and a 52% reduction in ED visits after treatment in a sample, and urged Baltimore City and hospital partnerships to scale real-time outreach.

Kim Wireman, president of Powell Recovery Center, told the council committee Powell has built an integrated, practice-based data warehouse to track client journeys and improve real-time interventions.

"We built one," Wireman said, describing connected feeds from the center's electronic health record, labs, pharmacy records and an automated case search of Maryland Judiciary records. Wireman said Powell built the system without new funding using in-house staff, and designed it to be open and shareable with public-health partners.

Wireman gave concrete results from retrospective analyses: in one 365-day period Powell logged roughly 1,300 emergency-department visits by 165 clients; 30 clients accounted for 66% of those visits. Powell reported that treatment "bends the curve," showing a 52% reduction in ED visits for clients after admission in the sample, and measured increases in retention (3-, 5- and 7-day retention rose by 9% each; 30-day retention rose by 7%; 90-day retention rose by 8%). Wireman framed those metrics as evidence that an integrated data platform can identify high-utilizers and enable targeted outreach.

Wireman illustrated the case with vignettes: an individual labeled "Brad" had multiple ED visits after a short stay and died of an overdose 74 days after discharge; others ("Alan" and "Charlie," names changed) showed opportunities for timely re-engagement through warm handoffs and outreach.

Council members asked about cost and operational burden. Wireman said daily or weekly automated data drops minimize manual work but scaling the system would require technical staff; she did not provide a budget number that reflects the cost to expand the tool to a citywide system.

Powell also described near-term operational tools: an ED app that will alert community outreach workers in (almost) real time when clients present at an ED, and plans to continue conversations with local hospitals (including Johns Hopkins-area institutions) and Baltimore City housing partners to close care and housing gaps. Committee members and presenters discussed consent, data-sharing limits and the need to coordinate with managed-care organizations (MCOs) so releases and outreach can be effective.

Why it matters: Powell's approach shows how linking clinical, lab and social-service data can reveal concentrated ED use and help target interventions for high-risk individuals. Council members said the city may be able to leverage similar feeds to better allocate outreach and budget dollars.

Next steps: Powell offered to share more detailed dashboards and explore integration with Baltimore City and hospital partners; committee members asked staff to follow up on district-level complaint data and potential local actions to address uncertified recovery residences.