NIATX Opiate Treatment Project October 24, 2010 Tami Bahr, LCSW, CSAC, ICS Assistant Director Connections Counseling

PDSA – Increase Group Attendance Executive Sponsor identified this goal Change Team Brainstormed Ideas Came up with a variety of ideas to test Reminder calls, survey group, text messages, reminder cards, excused absence limit Change Team conducted 5 different change projects over the year Reminder cards Group survey Commit to next group & problem solve barriers Text message reminders Excused absence limit & process to re-engage

Data Collection & Results Utilized group rosters to identify who is supposed to attend group and who actually attended Collected data throughout the year Initial baseline was 66% (October 2009) Lowest baseline was 53% (March – May 2010) Baseline for Project: 5:30 group – 62% 6:30 group – 62% Implemented Excused absence protocol and separated groups Data to date: 5:30 group – 70% overall attendance rate 6:30 group - 79% overall attendance rate Increased attendance this project by % Increased overall (Lowest baseline) by – 26%

Data Results 5:30 pm Group… Baseline 7/7/10 – 8/4/10; Change Project 8/11/10 – 9/29/10 Average Baseline: 62%Average Change Project: 70%

Data Results 6:30 pm group Baseline 7/7/10 – 8/4/10; Change Project 8/11/10 – 9/29/10 Average Baseline : 62%Average Change Project: 79%

Strategic Advantage Staff participation in groups is a fixed number 2 staff per group Increase in group attendance = Increase in direct revenue There is no additional cost to the clinic Increased attendance also = Increased opportunities for clients to connect

Sustainability Plan Feedback from clients Accountability in group is needed Consistency from staff is appreciated Feedback from staff Consistent expectations for everyone in group helps them address group dynamic issues Changed protocol to adopt this change project Exploring ways to implement this in other groups

Lessons Learned Attention to group feedback is critical Creation of consequences is not always negative Overall, our opiate groups had higher baseline attendance than other groups Clients may have wanted to attend group and remembered to attend but had other barriers to get there Attendance rates have been consistent even though we have had an increase in numbers of clients assigned to groups Keep data collection as simple as possible!

Tami Bahr, LCSW, CSAC, ICS Connections Counseling 1334 Applegate Road, Suite 101 Madison, WI Phone: (608) ext 23 Fax: (608)