Box Butte General Hospital joins Billion Pill Pledge program
In partnership with Goldfinch Health, Box Butte General Hospital has pledged to provide tools for patients to manage pain before, during, and after surgery to minimize the use of opioids for pain management.
According to Billion Pill Pledge (BPP) program Co-founder John Greenwood,
“We are on a mission to erase 1 billion unnecessary opioid pills from our collective medicine cabinets and communities. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals there were 37.5 opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 Americans in 2023. That’s prescriptions, not pills! The Billion Pill Pledge program, powered by Goldfinch Health, takes a three-pronged approach to prevention:
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Education and implementation support to healthcare providers for delivery of care according to opioid-minimizing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols
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Emphasizes alternatives to opioids before and after surgery with disciplined prescribing of opioids when needed – improving patient outcomes and reducing exposure to unnecessary opioids.
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Appropriate disposal of leftover opioids”
The BPP program started in 2022 in Iowa, where the state has seen 60% fewer opioid pills prescribed after surgery, 92% fewer opioid refills after surgery, and 71% fewer readmissions after surgery, according to the BPP 2024 Annual Report. The program is active in four states (Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee). BBGH is proud to be one of the first five hospitals in Nebraska to join the BPP.
BBGH will receive education and support from Goldfinch Health to implement Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) tools. This approach is designed to provide patients with different ways to manage pain before, during, and after surgery, minimizing the need for opioids. By using a “Prepared for Surgery Tool Kit” (pictured), nurse outreach support, and personalized pain management planning, BBGH hopes to see better provider and patient experiences, reduced readmissions, faster discharge, and minimized numbers of unused opioids.
Surgery nurse Caitlen Evans said, “I believe we are always looking for the best way to care for our patients. Including the Goldfinch program in the Surgical department gives us tools to better manage pain with less opioids prescribed. I am super excited for this program not only for our patients but our community as well!”
To learn more, ask your provider about pain management options that aren’t opioids, or visit billionpillpledge.com.