In 2023, Arbor Health–Morton Hospital proudly joined Starts with One: an initiative and toolkit to educate individuals about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and importance of safe drug storage, use and disposal. The campaign, a partnership between WSHA and the Washington State Health Care Authority, aims to start honest conversations about opioids with young adults, their parents and older adults.
Providers across Washington have seen the difference the toolkit can make. Arbor Health Marketing and Communication Manager Diane Markham, played a key role integrating Starts with One resources into her hospital’s practices.
“I think everyone should implement these materials,” Markham said. “Prescription opioid misuse is an important conversation people need to have for awareness. Starts with One at Arbor Health helps our providers and nurses discuss this topic with patients.”
Materials in the Starts with One initiative include talking points for providers, a prescribing best practices checklist and educational assets for parents. The toolkit offers essential information on responsible opioid use as well as alternative pain management strategies.
And implementation is simple. Just reference the toolkit factsheet for recommendations on where and how materials can be used to set your facility up to successfully deploy resources. (Kelly Akers)
