NEWS & NOTICES
05/13/13
Recommendation Regarding Redispensing of Medication
Redispensing of medication occurs when medicine is received from a pharmacy that it is no longer in use by Patient A, but is relabeled with a new name on the blister pack/vial and subsequently dispensed to Patient B. It has come to OASAS’ attention that some providers utilize this practice to reduce waste and costs. While allowed by the NYS Office of the Professions only under certain specified conditions, the practice is discouraged by the FDA.
05/07/13
10th Annual NYS Recovery Fine Arts Festival Call For Artwork
New York State Recovery Fine Arts Festival Call for Artwork Now Open. Friends of Recovery New York (FOR-NY), Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of NYS (ASAP), National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies (NCADD) and the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) are holding the 10th Annual New York State Recovery Fine Arts Festival. The Annual New York State Recovery Arts Festival showcases the achievements of individuals in recovery through artistic expression. There is plenty of time to submit your artwork before the August 5, 2013, deadline. Judges will select the "Best in Show" from 10 categories. The winning artwork will be on display at the 6th Annual New York Recovery Rally in Albany on September 29, 2013.
05/06/13
New Web-Based Perception of Care Survey System Announced
OASAS is pleased to announce the development of a new web-based application to help treatment and recovery providers regularly obtain feedback from their clients and participants on the following domains: access, quality, perceived outcome, social connectedness, commitment to change and program recommendation. OASAS will convene an orientation conference call for provider QI Directors in May to provide an overview of the system; how to manage your staff access to the system; and how to set survey targets. Please contact SusanBrandau@oasas.ny.gov if you are interested in attending and we will send you the call-in information. Technical assistance requests may also be directed to SusanBrandau@oasas.ny.gov or HenriWilliams@oasas.ny.gov.
05/03/13
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month
Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez urges New Yorkers who may be chronically infected with hepatitis (HCV) to get tested and treated. The month of May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Division of Viral Hepatitis is leading a national education initiative called Know More Hepatitis. The initiative aims to decrease the burden of chronic viral hepatitis by increasing awareness about this hidden epidemic and encouraging people who may be chronically infected to get tested and treated. In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, May 19th will be the second national Hepatitis Testing Day. To locate Hepatitis Testing Year Round Near You and additional services including vaccines and treatment go to: NPIN Organizations Database.
05/02/13
The Justice Center will become active on June 30, 2013
The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) is meant to strengthen the safety-net for vulnerable persons cared for by NYS human services agencies. Notice has been recently distributed to OASAS providers regarding new requirements for fingerprints/criminal background checks for staff hired after that date. Other provisions of the law and the operation of the Justice Center will have an impact on certified providers as well. Watch this page closely for updates and the launch of an OASAS Justice Center web page. Until then, for more information go to the Governor's interim website for the Justice Center.
04/30/13
Crisis Center Reopens After Hurricane Sandy
Maryhaven Center of Hope Crisis Center will reopen at a temporary location at 1000 North Village Avenue in Rockville Centre, NY (Unit 3P with a 25-bed capacity) on May 1, 2013. It was just a few months ago, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Long Island Region causing disruptions in substance abuse treatment and prevention services. The Freeport location was flooded with over 3.5 feet of water causing damage to the structure, equipment, wiring and machinery. The Crisis Center is one of two, Part 816.9 Medical Monitored Withdrawal & Stabilization Services in the region that serves clients along this critical recovery continuum. Renovations are expected to be completed at the Freeport location and to reopen by late Summer-Fall 2013 at full capacity. Please share this information. The phone number remains the same -- (516)546-7070 / Fax number 516-546-7075. The temporary host location is Mercy Medical Center, Unit 3P (3rd Floor), 1000 North Village Avenue, in Rockville Centre, NY. Admission information is as follows: Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the first 2 weeks; then weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. thereafter. Contact Name: James Morse, LCSW, Director, Chemical Dependency Crisis and Residential Services
04/25/13
Erie County Youth Forum to be Held May 6 in Buffalo
OASAS and YOUTH POWER! will host this event for young people ages 15-25 with experience in recovery programs. Join us for an evening of activities and discussion. Each day in Albany, state employees make decisions about the prevention and addiction services. Your input is needed regarding these decisions. Help us build opportunities for young people to be heard and help us improve community supports for them. This event is free, but registration is required.
04/24/13
Governor Cuomo Promotes National Take Back Initiative
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today reminded New Yorkers that unused or expired medications can present a serious threat to public health and safety, as well as the environment, and urged them to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event provides an opportunity for people to safely dispose of unwanted or unused prescription drugs at local community drop-off sites. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) established a permanent medication drop box program and the New York State Police also have drop boxes located at nine of their Troop Headquarters. The boxes, which are available year around, are secure, open to the public and allow New Yorkers across the state to anonymously dispose of unused prescription medications and controlled substances.
04/19/13
Saving Lives Through Partnership Month
OASAS Providers: An underutilized and critical source of new patients are hospital emergency departments, but successful referrals are often difficult. OASAS is seeking to strengthen your relationships with these departments and practitioners through our upcoming meetings with their medical directors. We are also proposing a "Saving Lives Through Partnership Month" in which providers arrange to meet with a local emergency departments to educate them on their treatment services and how the emergency staff can successfully and appropriately refer a patient. By putting a face to the program name and increasing appropriate and successful referrals, we hope to foster better relationships, communications and patient care. July is frequently the month when new “house staff” begins, so we are designation July as the month for this initiative. Please write us at addictionmedicine@oasas.ny.gov if you plan to participate and write “Saving Lives Through Partnership Month” in the subject line.
03/22/13
OASAS Announces the Release of the 2013 Outcomes Dashboard
The OASAS Dashboard identifies the agency's five core destinations and the 12 key metrics used to measure progress. The Dashboard serves as a roadmap to maintain mission focus and address the prevention, treatment and recovery needs of New Yorkers. It is part of an ongoing effort to integrate outcomes management into the operations of the agency and the addictions field.
03/20/13
OASAS Releases 2013 Interim Report
OASAS announces the release of its 2013 Interim Report on the Statewide Comprehensive Plan 2012-2016, which was developed in accordance with Section 5.07 of Mental Hygiene Law. The Interim Report summarizes significant accomplishments on the OASAS 2012 Outcomes Dashboard. The Dashboard is the foundation of OASAS statewide planning efforts and advances Commissioner González-Sánchez's commitment to integrate outcomes management into the work of the agency and the field.
01/17/13
Part 822-5 Opioid Treatment Program Model Case Record Forms
The OASAS Technical Assistance/Systems Reform Unit is pleased to announce that *NEW* Part 822-5 Opioid Treatment Program Model Case Record Forms have been finalized and are now posted on the OASAS website. These forms were developed to assist providers in meeting regulatory requirements for patient case record documentation as well as for training staff in Part 822-5 requirements. For further information or questions regarding these forms, please contact the OASAS Technical Assistance Unit at: technicalassist@oasas.ny.gov.
01/10/13
Revised Incident & Death Report Forms & Submission Procedure
Beginning January 15, 2013, all reportable incidents and deaths must be submitted to OASAS on the revised SQA-53 (Incident Report) and PAS-23 (Death Report) forms. The revised forms must be entered into the fillable PDF document and submitted via e-mail to OASAS at legal@oasas.ny.gov and your Field Office Program Manager (or your Bureau of Addiction Treatment Center Liaison if you are an OASAS ATC). We believe the revised forms will help facilitate accurate and timely reporting and data entry retrieval. Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact your Field Office Program Manager (ATCs should contact the Bureau of Addiction Treatment Centers).
11/19/12
Hurricane Sandy Alerts and Updates
A listing of available disaster resources and important updates for staff and providers are available on OASAS Hurricane Sandy webpage.
07/30/12
2012 Treatment Program Scorecards Available
OASAS announces the release of the 2012 Treatment Program Scorecards. This is the second year that OASAS has issued treatment scorecards for use by the general public, Local Governmental Units (LGUs) and the provider community. The scorecards are accessible via the OASAS Provider Directory Search function on the OASAS website.
06/20/12
New 2012 OASAS Outcomes Dashboard Available
OASAS announces the release of the 2012 Outcomes Dashboard. The Dashboard is the foundation for the OASAS Statewide Comprehensive Plan and serves as a roadmap for addressing the prevention, treatment and recovery needs of New Yorkers. It is part of an ongoing effort to integrate outcomes management into the priorities of the agency and the addictions field.