ABOUT SPECTRUM HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC – WESTBOROUGH
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. offers a network of private, non-profit rehab facilities throughout Massachusetts and Maine. Its flagship treatment center is in rural Westborough, Mass. Situated on 25 acres of parkland, this rehab is one of the largest in all of New England.
The facility offers multiple programs for adults including on-site detox, residential treatment, clinical stabilization services, and a community support program, as well as a separate treatment track for young men. More than 53% of Massachusetts’ facilities offer specialized programming for men.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.’s residential detox program at the Westborough facility offers 24-hour medical supervision. The staff uses medication (methadone) to suppress opioid-related withdrawal symptoms, and It is one of only nine facilities in Massachusetts that offers a residential detox program. Stays last up to six days, during which the client works with staff to create an individualized plan for continued treatment.
The Westborough facility offers transitional support services, which is a short-term, residential program for additional stabilization after detox. The focus of this program is to bridge the gap between detox and aftercare.
Clients attend daily psychoeducational groups and treatment planning meetings with their assigned case managers. Individual and group counseling and health education are also parts of this program. Stays typically last less than 30 days.
Each client receives a comprehensive evaluation prior to admission, and the client’s progress is assessed every 30 days. Treatment is highly structured and employs the 12-step methodology. Participants also participate in individual and group counseling, educational programming, and opportunities for recreational activities.
Successful graduates of the residential program can choose to participate in its re-entry component of the program, which consists of community work and continued counseling at the facility. Comprehensive aftercare planning is also provided.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. includes case managers, doctors, and counselors. The facility is part of the 28% of U.S. facilities accredited by CARF. Of the nearly 20 individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date, nine individuals polled more extensively offered moderate ratings for the facility’s staff.
Staff Experience and Training: 3/5
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
According to a brief article posted on a local facilities development website, the Westborough campus underwent a renovation in the spring of 2015. It now has 100 beds and offers many state-of-the-art amenities, including a fitness room, a media center, an outdoor courtyard, and a central area dining room. Individuals polled offered mixed opinions concerning the facility’s cleanliness.
Facility Cleanliness and Upkeep: 2.8/5
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The over a dozen alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave mixed reviews. Through a sample of five alumni reviews, alumni tended to approve of the some aspects of the facility, while cited some areas of improvement. Although alumni offered generally positive opinions concerning the likelihood they’d recommend the facility, alumni were not impressed with the facility’s lack of holistic offerings or the level of family participation. However, alumni tended to praise the staff in commentary.
Likelihood to Recommend: 3.75/5
Family Participation: 1.6/5
Holistic Offerings: 1.4/5
One anonymous alum felt the negative reviews were due to the time many alumni went, reporting that improvements had been made. “They are extremely understanding and compassionate. They exceptionally holistic for a substance abuse program,” the alum wrote. However, another alum wrote: “This was my first experience with a detox center and I would not recommend this facility to any one.”
On Google, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. received an average of 2.9 out of five stars from 17 reviews to date.[1] It should be noted that at least one of the reviews came from reviewers who admittedly have “never been in this place.” A few alumni complained about challenges paying for treatment out-of-pocket, including M.W. who recommended to “ Save ALL your receipts because they WILL try to charge again for services already paid for.”
On its unofficial Facebook page, the feedback from 11 reviewers is much more positive, with an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars to date.[2] Two positive reviews praised the staff, while one complained about a specific staff member.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The four loved ones reviewed by Best-rehabs.com about Spectrum Health Systems at the time of this writing also gave mixed reviews. While one loved one praised the “personalized treatment,” and called the Westborough campus “a great place with great people and support,” another loved one reported that the program didn’t work because their “daughter was not ready.”
Loved ones believed that the available counseling options were inadequate, as well as the level of family participation. One loved one wrote: “They also make you go to too many groups while you’re trying to detox…” Even though loved ones were unhappy with the level of family participation, they did feel there was an adequate level of staff support
Staff Support: 3/5
Family Participation: 2/5 stars
Counseling Options: 2/5 stars
On Yelp, there are three negative and one positive review of the facility.[3] While two alumni describe “very rude” staff members and deplorable living conditions, such as a facility that “isn’t fit for rats,” the two loved ones who provided feedback had varying opinions. One loved one was happy that their loved one “is still clean and sober today.” The other loved one supported claims about a dirty facility, wrote: “Honestly I wouldn’t drop a dog off that was going to be euthanized here.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Indeed, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. had an average of 2.3 out of five stars from 26 reviews at the time of this writing.[4] Most of the employees indicated that they received low pay and experience poor management in a stressful environment. In a particularly balanced review, a former Senior Substance Abuse Counselor wrote: “Was good place to learn but not as supportive or client based as I would have liked.”
On Glassdoor, 52 current and former staff members gave Spectrum a rating of 2.7 out of five stars.[5] While low pay is still a concern for these employees, micromanagement, high turnover, and poor communication are all problems often cited by staff members as weaknesses of the facility.
FINANCING
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. accepts Medicaid and a number of private health insurances. For those who opt to self-pay, there is a sliding scale fee. The nine individuals polled on the matter offered overall neutral opinions concerning the facility’s cost.
Affordability: 2.8/5
CONCLUSIONS
In April 2018, Spectrum received its sixth CARF accreditation. Earlier in 2018 Spectrum continued to expand its services by launching an education and training segment that focuses on outreach and skills development in treatment.
[1] GoogleReviews
[2]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spectrum%20Health%20Systems%20Inc/111655795539831/
[3] https://www.yelp.com/biz/spectrum-health-systems-westborough-3
[4] https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Spectrum-Health-Systems,-Inc./reviews
[5] https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Spectrum-Health-Systems-Reviews-E653409.htm