By Mason Carroll 

REDDING, Calif. — More than 100.000 people died as a result of drug overdoses in 2021 and California is leading in the number of deaths, according to the CDC. However, staff at Mercy Medical branches are working to get people help.

Elizabeth Pulatie, who is the chief nurse executive officer at the Mt Shasta branch, said they have felt the strain of the increase in opioid use over the past few years.

She said they work to listen to the patient's wants and get the right help in or outside of the hospital. They provide Narcan kits, telehealth for users, direct treatment for opioid use and many more resources.

Their substance use provider has also gone from seeing 4 to 10 patients per month to as many as 50.

“I can't understand your choices,” Pulatie said. “I have a hard enough time understanding my choices in this time, you know, so I'm not trying to judge. I want to make sure that you know there's help available.”

Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Redding and Mercy Medical Center Mt Shasta have been awarded superior performance by Cal Hospital Compare for their work in safe opioid care.

This is the highest possible honor they could receive for this category. Pulatie said it’s very important for them to consider what the patient wants and then help find the right treatment for them. With the challenges they’ve faced from the pandemic to staffing shortages, she said this honor means a lot.

“It's a great recognition,” Pulatie said. “It speaks to how concerned and focused we are on patient safety and patient care, not only in reducing the amount of opioids we use but also in finding alternative ways to manage pain so that patients are comfortable but safer.”

Pulatie said almost everyone knows someone who has struggled with some kind of substance so her hope is everyone can live a safe and happy life with their help.
“We continue to have compassionate communication for patients and families and understand this is a challenging time for all of us,” Pulatie said.

Their work has paid off. Since 2017, the Mt Shasta branch has decreased opioid usage hospital-wide by over 50%. Pulatie said they hope to continue that work.

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