The Observation Deck

I just read the most recent Lakewood Observer, particularly the synopsis of the council meeting.

During the meeting, there was a discussion of the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, apparently. The Clinic then talked about the focus of the Family Health Center programs.

Councilman Dan O'Malley then asked why there was nothing in the assessment about the opioid epidemic. Fire Chief Gilman responded, according to the reporter, that the crisis did not begin until AFTER the assessment was done.

Dr. Hekman explained the new fam- ily health center will provide resources for respiratory diabetes, mental health, and cardiology services. Councilmember O’Malley noticed the assessment failed to address the ongoing opioid crisis, as well as mental health, remarking that drug rehabilitation and mental health should be a priority when discussing commu- nity health needs. In response, Fire Chief Gilman clarified the opioid crisis did not begin until after the assessment was complete. O’Malley contended, “If this is going to be a blueprint for what services are going to be provided at the family health center, we need to continue the conversation.”

Chief Gilman, please tell me you were misquoted.

The opioid crisis had not begun when the 2016 assessment was being done?

The State of Ohio knew they had a problem in 2011:

http://mha.ohio.gov/Portals/0/assets/In ... Crisis.pdf

The Observer includes multiple stories on the opiod crisis, as a Lakewood issue no less, prior to 2016.

Rather than list all of them, though, I think this one from 2014 makes the point by itself. Titled "Lakewood Confronting The County Heroin Epidemic," it quotes the mayor, and was written by Colin McEwen.

Everything about the idea that Lakewood's "Fire Chief Gilman clarified the opioid crisis did not begin until after the [2016 health needs] assessment was complete" rates an enormous "hold on, what?"

The Clinic chose to ignore the opioid crisis as part of the health needs of our community.

Why would the Fire Chief defend that omission - especially with such a ridiculous excuse?

I agree that this is odd. Nonetheless, it does not surprise me, seeing as this upcoming July 8th marks the 10-year anniversary of Mr. Gilman's paramedic license expiration. In other words, it has been almost ten years since Mr. Gilman had a valid paramedic license.

Perhaps he has been studying so hard for the test that he had a lapse in memory. I suppose I can understand that.

I agree with the link Bridget posted, the problem did appear to start around 2011. Unfortunately, nobody seems to want to do anything at any level of government, from Lakewood all the way up to Washington.

Lori Allen _ wrote: the 10-year anniversary of Mr. Gilman's paramedic license expiration. In other words, it has been almost ten years since Mr. Gilman had a valid paramedic license.

Scott Gilman's comments are concerning, but so is your reference to his license. It's off point and gratuitous.

The survey was done in 2014

We did not see a significant increase in overdoses until 2014. At that time LFD amended our patient care reports to start tracking the use of Narcan. We also worked with Westshore Enforcement Bureau, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals to train and equip the LPD officers with Narcan. When the question was brought up I asked when the needs assessment was done and the survey had been completed before we saw the spike in overdose cases.

So you saw spikes in 2014 yet a 2016 survey was completed and did not include that info?

I'm sorry, this makes no sense.

The article refers twice to a "2016 Community Health Needs Assessment."

Clearly there has been some kind of miscommunication, at some point, here.

Meanwhile, I think Councilman O'Malley's point that "the assessment failed to address the ongoing opioid crisis, as well as mental health" stands as grounds for concern, regardless.

This is the report on the city website:

http://www.onelakewood.com/wp-content/u ... w-CHNA.pdf

The Clinic has a page, too:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/about/co ... nt-reports

So it appears they do them every few years. One was done in 2013, one done 2016

I don't even see one from 2014.

There is no way you can tell me a report submitted in 2016, for 2016, did not include data after 2014. That's incompetence.

Next question:
What can they do/are they doing about it?

Happy Shiny Family Health Center meet Opioid Crisis.

Good job Mr. O'Malley.

m buckley wrote:Happy Shiny Family Health Center meet Opioid Crisis.

Good job Mr. O'Malley.

That's the problem.

Are they going to use the hastily assembled and out of date information In the "Needs Assessment" to justify what services are offered at the "Health Center?"

The Clinic does not want to deal with offering services for those affected by the opioid epidemic. It's expensive and reimbursement is low due to under- and uninsured populations.

How convenient to leave it out of the "Needs Assessment."

And how irresponsible to not have CURRENT AND UP TO DATE data in that "2016" assessment.

There was a keen awareness of on Opiate problem in Lakewood and Northeast Ohio well before the Survey That Mr. Gilman sites in his excuse for why CCF will not be dealing with this problem at the "Family Health Center" er..medical office building. The issue was also mentioned at City Council meetings.

Here is a quote from the 03/28/2013 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Opiate Task Force... Bottom of page 4. I have attached the meeting minutes but most of all want to point out that Lakewood was already known as a problem arena for this type of drug abuse and deaths. I have not looked up the figures but will when I have time. The quote speaks for itself.

Andrea Rocco suggested the City of Lakewood would be a good location for the
education/training because of the high number of fatalities over the past five years.
Megan and Vince explained the current laws requiring a physician’s oversight on the
training and prescribing of the naloxone only to the individuals dealing with addiction.
Physicians do not have the authority to give kits to family members or partners of those
dealing with addiction. Vince did mention that the Ohio Department of Health is having
conversation with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to talk about changing the rules to offer
more flexibility for the training & prescribing of the complete kits

Pam