Christine Bachmann is a program director for the York Correctional Institution Opioid Treatment Program. She has more than 25 years of experience in the addiction treatment field, including 20 years with the Connecticut Department of Correction. Over the last 14 years as a supervisor, she has overseen various addiction treatment programs within the CT DOC.
What makes you a Healthcare Hero?
I have advocated for an electronic dispensing system and improved utilization of current computer systems to improve safety, security and streamline record keeping necessary for efficient interaction with regulatory agencies.
I have worked with the interdisciplinary team to improve treatment safety and patient satisfaction. One of my focuses has been on ensuring patients receive individualized treatment to reach their recovery goals and improve patient retention in treatment.
I implemented a patient satisfaction survey. The results were used to provide meaningful program changes and deepen the patient-provider relationship. Continuity of care was improved through education in the areas of patient motivation and destigmatization.
Additionally, I was able to have injectable monthly medications approved for use at community reintegration, to help create smooth transitions for patients challenged by transportation, safety or stigma issues.
Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome.
The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is changing facility culture. Expanding program availability meant challenges to facility operations, spanning all departments. Many staff had a negative view of providing medication for addiction treatment. Overcoming the stigma and operational issues was accomplished by education campaigns and breaking down silos between areas of operation.
By creating an operational team that included both custody and medical staff, as well as providing full transparency, the program has been able to gain acceptance and the support needed for continuing success.
What’s your next major goal?
Succession planning! As I transition to retirement, I want to ensure the continuing success of the program by developing a manual detailing how to navigate the regulatory agencies and providing training and support for my successor and fellow supervisors.
