Pennsylvania Department of Health

Program Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is funding the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA SBIRT) at $2.97 million per year for 5 years to provide services in general medical and other community settings to adolescent and adult patients with substance abuse and dependence disorders who reside in Allegheny, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties.

Program Model

Screening

Conducted by licensed healthcare professionals using the Health Behavior Assessment, and (as indicated) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Brief Intervention

Uses the Screening and Initial Interview Protocol (SIIP) conducted by licensed healthcare professionals and PA SBIRT healthcare specialists.

Ranging from 3 to 5 minutes of brief advice to a 1 hour brief intervention conducted face to face or via the telephone provided at one time or over several visits as the patient attends follow-up care.

Contains five essential components: assessment, goal-setting, behavior modification, self-help information, and follow-up.

Brief Treatment

Licensed healthcare professionals determine the appropriate level of care for patients using the Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria (PCPC) and then provide brief treatment using motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy provided at the generalist site or via an active and facilitated referral to a community treatment provider.

Referral

Patients are referred to the appropriate treatment agencies based on clinical severity of their substance use disorder. They are also provided with assistance in negotiating system barriers and responding to resistance.

Service Features

Services are designed to meet the needs of each site, population, and community (rural vs. urban). Healthcare specialists resemble closely the population served. All staff are trained and receive mentoring and ongoing technical assistance. The PA SBIRT is a statewide initiative serving a variety of settings, populations, and communities.

PA SBIRT Services Integrated in Designated Counties

  • Allegheny
    • Mercy
    • West Penn #1 and #2
    • Magee Women's Hospital
  • Bucks
    • Bucks County Planned Parenthood
    • Doylestown Free Clinic
  • Philadelphia
    • Philadelphia Health Centers #2 and #3
    • Albert Einstein Medical Center's Trauma Center

Program Effectiveness

As of July 3, 2008, a total of 73,432 patients have received services through this project. Of these, 12.2 percent (8,922) screened positive and received an intervention and/or additional services for substance use.

PA SBIRT services as of July 3, 2008:

  • Screened 62,364 patients
  • Provided brief intervention to 8,922 patients
  • Provided brief treatment to 847 patients
  • Referred 1,299 patients to treatment

Contact Information

James Thomas, Project Director
Pennsylvania Department of Health
PA SBIRT
Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs
02 Kline Plaza
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 783-8200
c-jathomas@state.pa.us