Inpatient Service for Medical Management of Withdrawal Symptoms Expands to Mercy South

Mercy is expanding its inpatient acute opioid and alcohol withdrawal management program with the addition of the Mercy StepOne Service at Mercy Hospital South in coordination with Evergreen Healthcare Partners, LLC.

Mercy StepOne Service provides 24-hour hospital-based care to patients who require medical management of withdrawal symptoms from opioids and/or alcohol. The service has been available at Mercy Hospital Jefferson since July 2021.

“We have been able to provide excellent care through this service to get patients started on their journey to recovery,” said Bryan Jensen, co-founder and CEO of Evergreen Healthcare Partners. “By adding this important service in a second location, we can provide not only more beds for this care but give patients options to choose a location more convenient for them, whether they want to be closer to home or get further away from their usual environment for improved healing.”

Mercy StepOne Service is not for every patient suffering from addiction. These patients must meet medical criteria, be in the early stages of withdrawal, and be properly motivated for recovery. To ensure patients meet these criteria, patients start the process by requesting a pre-screening. This pre-screening can be completed by phone, email or online.

Once a patient is approved, they will be scheduled for admission to the medical-surgical unit at either Mercy South or Mercy Jefferson. Treatment typically lasts about three days for opioid withdrawal and three to five days for alcohol withdrawal.

“We have designated, trained members of our clinical care team to provide the specialized care these patients require,” said Stacy Blankenship, chief nursing officer of Mercy Hospital South. “It is important to us to give them the medical care necessary for them to embrace the recovery they seek. Our team of health care professionals is excited to expand this program to Mercy South and provide this much needed service to our community.”

Beyond providing medical care, the clinical team works with patients on a long-term plan to guide the patient through discharge from the hospital to their continuing treatment at the next, appropriate facility or program. The care team remains in touch with the patient for up to six months after discharge.

Anyone interested in Mercy StepOne Service can go to mercystepone.com or call the Mercy StepOne Service care coordinator at Mercy South at 314-282-5234 or at Mercy Jefferson at 636-224-8494.