GOALS

The goal of PAAG is to advise Aegis on how to better serve patients, and to advocate
for the larger community of Aegis patients and other clients. PAAG provides feedback necessary for Aegis to develop and raise Aegis professional and ethical standards that have a direct relationship to the effectiveness of treatment and Aegis patients’ quality
of life.

To advocate for addiction patient’s rights and for the removal of prejudices and discrimination that prevent their successful treatment and integration into a productive
and positive lifestyle.

To increase community awareness through education.

OBJECTIVES

Advocate involvement binds patients, staff, administration, government agencies and communities together. It is everyone's responsibility to incorporate these groups into strategic alliance. Patient groups are a rich source to determine if a designed protocol
will be effective with patients. In addition, these groups have a vested interest in helping communicate information about their program and attempt to bring about change in attitudes, perceptions and realities of their recovery effort. By involving patients in this process, the objective is to substantially improve the services provided to the Aegis patients and to effect change in the treatment criteria mandated by legislation and public opinion. PAAG members serve as educators and spokespersons in their communities to gain cooperation and improve the standing of all patients.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

PAAG will serve to reinforce patients’ ability to be directly involved in the treatment of
their addiction and in the policies, which support that treatment. Patients will also have an outlet and process in which to work toward change of the discriminatory laws and behaviors, which surround the addict in many different arenas.

PROTOCOL

Membership Qualifications

Clinic Managers will recommend people to serve as PAAG members. A representative from the Department of HR and Quality Assurance will interview each of the proposed members as a courtesy.

Active patients who have demonstrated positive recovery and stable lifestyle (including no criminal activity and no positive urine drug screens) are eligible to become PAAG members. Persons who are discharged following successful completion of the program are also eligible. Anyone who wishes to participate, who complements the mission statement and the goals of PAAG and meets the criteria described may be considered by the Clinic Managers and Corporate Officers to be a PAAG volunteer.

All new PAAG board members will enter into a 180-day probationary period, and must participate in local K2R support groups.  Upon their 30, 90, 180-day of membership, the probationary board member will be reviewed  by the President and an additional board member to determine their future status.

Conflict of Interest Resolution

PAAG members may also volunteer to Aegis Outreach and/or with Methadone Anonymous 12 Steps support groups.

PAAG members shall not request from clinic staff any confidential information about other patients.

Every effort shall be made to carry out the business of PAAG with no disruption of the regular routines of the Aegis’ programs and clinics.

Rewards and Benefits

PAAG members are volunteers who are working without rewards. PAAG members will be reimbursed for the following expenses:

• Travel expenses (gas, food, hotel) to and from PAAG meetings
• Correspondence expenses necessary for conducting PAAG business

PAAG members will be invited to attend Aegis events, such as the annual Holiday party and other celebrations.

Aegis Financial Support

Aegis will financially support the PAAG program by providing:

• Conference or meeting rooms
• Scheduling and distribution of invitations to meetings
• Reimbursement of member expenses, as described above
• Administrative work as required
• Provide a Facilitator to prepare, arrange and chair the meetings

Public Display

PAAG members may wear nametags to identify themselves as PAAG members, but the tags must not appear to represent authority of any kind within Aegis. Members do NOT have authority within Aegis Medical Systems, Inc.

Each clinic with PAAG members shall display a notice in plain view indicating there is a PAAG member available, and that patients and clients who are interested in being a member, could submit their application to the clinic and / or program manager. Information about PAAG shall be displayed prominently in all clinics and must be readily accessible to all patients and visitors.

MEETINGS

Meetings will be held bi-monthly (every two months) at a central location, and will be called by the Facilitator. Special meetings may be held with notice, in order to address acute matters such as legislation, political activities or other unique circumstances.

An Aegis Facilitator will conduct each meeting. Meetings will begin on time and be conducted within the timeframe established.

The facilitator will distribute a meeting agenda to board members prior to, or at the beginning of each meeting. Additionally, meeting minutes, recommendations and / or resolutions will be published and distributed to all members including Aegis’ directors/ officers, clinic and program managers. Each member can propose matters to be included in the meeting agenda. If time does not permit, the facilitator will calendar the discussion for a future meeting.  All meeting materials pertaining to P.A.A.G. and/or K.2.R. meetings will be returned to their respective Clinic Manager at the end of each meeting.

Every member has a voice and a vote. Differing opinions are expected. PAAG will not take any action on any matter without first reaching a consensus.

REVIEW AND REVISE

Throughout the implementation of PAAG it is important to take the time to assess the program to determine which PP&Ps are effective and those that should be amended, dropped or added. The Patient Advisory & Advocacy Group must remain flexible enough
to respond to new issues and ideas while maintaining an effective and efficient structure and framework.

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES AND ISSUES

There will be a variety of issues that can be effectively handled by PAAG, including, but not limited to the following:

Advisory Issues

Proposed enhanced program services, amenities, and development of new treatment modalities, such as:

• Perinatal services
• Treatment of Elder patients
• Anger Management counseling
• Domestic Violence counseling
• Dual Diagnosis services
• Case management
• Contingency Management (i.e. rewards and incentives for successful recovery
  and other improvement)
• Legal Advice
• Nutritional counseling
• Outpatient Drug-Free Programs
• MA-12 Steps support groups
• Eligibility counseling
• A safe place for children to play while their parent is receiving treatment services
• Educational materials and accessories

Advocacy Issues

Proposed advocacy matters and legislative work, such as:

• Contest prejudice and discrimination against the patient population.
• Contest denial of Medical services to active OTP maintenance patients
• Represent and announce positions regarding patients’ and client’s special needs
• Educate the general public, addict’s families, as well as governmental and medical establishments, including the Department of Social Services, parole and probation officers, judges, physicians, etc.
• Support the recent amendments to the 180 mg. “cap” on daily dose, and to the California restriction on 21 day detox limit
• Support the new regulatory requirement for accreditation of programs
• Support waivers and exception to Medi-Cal and Medicare regulation regarding the “lower of cost and charges” for the benefit of indigent patients
• Support new regulation for the enhancement of Medi-Cal approved services (i.e. Case Management) and eligibility criteria addressing the patients un-served needs
• Support new regulation for the prohibition of non-physicians (i.e., judges, parole and probation officers) to practice medicine and/or to deny treatment to addicts
• Support new regulation for the provision of replacement therapy in jails and prisons
  (“jail dosing”)
• Support Aegis’ proposed regulation for the certification of counselors
• Support new regulation for the protection of patient’s rights, as defined under the Americans with Disability Act (“A.D.A.”)
• Support new regulation and guidelines for the new proposed Office Based Opioids Treatment (“OBOT”)

CODE OF ETHICS for PAAG Members

• PAAG members must be dedicated to the Mission Statement
• Patient confidentiality must be maintained by members at all times
• Members may not take advantage of membership to receive benefits, privileges or other advantages of services
• Becoming a PAAG member does not create a position of authority, and members cannot represent themselves in any way that suggests or implies that they have
  such authority
• Members do not represent Aegis
• PAAG members may not resolve conflicts.
• Any violation of the P.A.A.G. Code of Ethics may be cause for dismissal.

GROUNDS FOR MEMBER REMOVAL

Members who no longer meet the requirements of membership will be removed.

Any Breach of the Code of Ethics is grounds for removal.

Anyone who is destructive or disruptive to the process and goals will be removed.

A person who, by actions or words, compromises the reputation of PAAG will be removed.