LANCASTER – Lancaster General Hospital got a visit from PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones and local officials to highlight the Warm Handoff Program which has connected nearly 68,000 Pennsylvanians with treatment and recovery supports immediately following an overdose or substance use crisis. Right after an overdose survivor leaves the emergency department, there is often a high risk of a repeat overdose. The goal of the Warm Handoff Program is to reduce that risk by providing a referral which directly transfers overdose survivors from a hospital emergency department to substance use disorder treatment and resources. Warm Handoff Programs are operating at four Lancaster County Hospitals: Lancaster General, Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, UPMC Lititz, and WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.
