New Prescription Tool Has Launched Statewide

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington/Fairview Hospital Task Force on Opioid Abuse hosted two education programs for physicians and medical professionals to introduce them to the new MassPAT (Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool), which was launched by the state in August and becomes mandatory for every prescription or refill for any narcotic schedule II or III drug as of Oct. 15.

The trainings took place at Fairview Hospital and East Mountain Medical Center on Oct. 13, hosted by the task force, a collaboration between Great Barrington, Fairview Hospital and other community organizations that has formed to address opioid abuse and deaths in southern Berkshire County,

The purpose of the training was to increase familiarity with the recently launched MassPAT tool that replaces the old Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), which was cumbersome and not user friendly. The new system is easier to use, includes the ability to eventually search records in other states, as well as provides more information to help providers make the proper decisions for patient care.

"There is a lot of science showing a decrease in deaths because the physicians now have information on patient history at their fingertips," said presenter Lynn Ferro, project coordinator from the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, in reference to a study that showed patients with one or more risk factors (four or more prescribers, four or more pharmacies, or dosages greater than 100 MME a day) accounted for 55 percent of overdose deaths.

Ferro was joined by Tammy Lewis, an experienced trainer and a Controlled Substance Refill Program Coordinator from Valley Medical Group in Florence, Mass., who provided attendees with a tutorial to use the tool.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.