More Evidence That Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Might Increase Overdose Deaths
Jeffrey A. SingerAt a Cato Institutepolicy forum in October 2019, Columbia University public health researcher David Fink presented data showing that Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), designed to surveil opioid prescribing by health care practitioners to their patients in pain, have no appreciable effect on the fatal or non ‐fatal opioid overdose rate, but may have the unintended consequence of increasing overdoses from heroin. I havecited his work, along with the work of others, that draw similar conclusions.Now researchers at Indiana University are providing even more evidence that PDMPs, alon...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - February 14, 2021 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
Going After Scapegoats Is Easier Than Confronting The Truth
Jeffrey A. SingerYesterday the Department of Justicefiled suit against the giant retailer Walmart, accusing it of fueling the opioid crisis by encouraging its pharmacists to fill prescriptions –legally written by health care practitioners licensed by the Drug Enforcement Administration–they should have suspected of being inappropriately prescribed.The Justice Department seems uninterested in the fact that there isno correlation between the number of opioid prescriptions and the non ‐medical use of prescription pain reliever or the development of opioid use disorder. And while the number of opio...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - December 23, 2020 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
The Abuse ‐Deterrent Folly
Jeffrey A. SingerOn September 11 a Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committeerecommended rejecting Purdue Pharma ’s request to add to the label of the abuse‐deterrent formulation (ADF) of its drug OxyContin the claim that it reduces the incidence of non‐medical use and overdose from opioids.In the early part of this century law enforcement officialsreported that many non ‐medical users of the diverted prescription drug OxyContin, a concentrated, slow‐release formulation of oxycodone, would crush the pills and snort them, or dissolve them in liquid and inject them. In 2010, as its patent for ...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - September 12, 2020 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
The AMA Opioid Task Force 2020 Report Should Come as No Surprise to Those Who Follow the Data
Jeffrey A. SingerThe American Medical Association recently released itOpioid Task Force 2020 Report. The Task Force found there was a 37.1 percent decrease in opioid prescriptions between 2014 and 2019; a 64.4 percent increase in the use of state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) in the last year (739 million queries in 2019); and hundreds of thousands of physicians accessing continuing medical education courses on opioid prescribing (now mandatory in some states). However, the report states:Despite these efforts, illicitly manufactured fentanyl, fentanyl analogues and stimulants (e.g. methamphetamine...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - August 31, 2020 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
The Quigley Maneuver for Ankle Fractures
Certain emergency department procedures bring us a sense of accomplishment. We cheer after a shoulder returns to its correct position from our relocation technique and smile when a laceration closes just right. Emergency department procedures can be very rewarding for providers and patients, especially during times of stress in the workplace. Sometimes, just stapling a scalp or molding the perfect splint may seem cathartic. There are days where we can only see so much abdominal and chest pain—and COVID-19.The double-person Quigley maneuver technique for an ankle fracture. Photo by Martha Roberts.This month we want to ...
Source: The Procedural Pause - August 3, 2020 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
As the War on Drugs Relentlessly Grinds On, Overdose Deaths Relentlessly Mount
Jeffrey A. SingerWhen the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionannounced last January that drug overdoses in 2018 declined by 4.1 percent –from 70,237 in 2017 to 67,367 in 2018 –many in thepress took that as a sign of possible progress in America ’s longest war, the war on drugs. However, a deeper look at the data painted a very different picture.The CDC report stated:The age ‐adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which include drugs such as fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol, increased from 0.3 per 100,000 standard popula...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - July 16, 2020 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
One-Stop Pain Control for Trimalleolar Fractures
The incidence of all ankle fractures is about 187 cases per 100,000 people each year. Trimalleolar fractures occur in seven to 11 percent of those cases. (Orthop J Sports Med. 2019;7[11 Suppl 6]; https://bit.ly/3eQ4lRl.) Trimalleolar fractures involve the lateral and medial malleolus and the distal posterior aspect of the tibia (sometimes called the posterior malleolus).These fractures are serious and often unstable. They typically but not always need urgent or even emergent surgery. Often, they are reduced with a closed reduction prior to surgery. We suggest using a hematoma block to assist with pain control during...
Source: The Procedural Pause - July 1, 2020 Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs
Changes To EHR Presets Can Lower Number Of Opioid Pills Prescribed
Part of a growing body of evidence putting EHRs at the center of opioid use reduction efforts, a new study has concluded that small changes to EHR presets can lower the number of opioid pills physicians prescribe. This is particularly interesting when thinking back to the Practice Fusion opioid kickbacks we wrote about last week. […] (Source: EMR and HIPAA)
Source: EMR and HIPAA - February 4, 2020 Category: Information Technology Authors: Anne Zieger Tags: Analytics/Big Data C-Suite Leadership Clinical EMR-EHR Healthcare IT Hospital - Health System Chronic Opioid Therapy EHR Opioid Tracking EHR Presets Highland Hospital Norco Opioid Prescriptions Opioid Research Oxycodone Percoce Source Type: blogs
9 Healthcare Companies Who Changed the 2010s
By ANDY MYCHKOVSKY
In order to celebrate the next decade (although the internet is confused whether its actually the end of the decade…), we’re taking a step back and listing our picks for the 9 most influential healthcare companies of the 2010s. If your company is left off, there’s always next decade… But honestly, we tried our best to compile a unique listing that spanned the gamut of redefining healthcare for a variety of good and bad reasons. Bon appétit!
1. Epic Systems Corporation
The center of the U.S. electronic medical record (EMR) universe resides in Verona, Wisconsin. Population of 13,166. The ...
Source: The Health Care Blog - January 7, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Christina Liu Tags: Health Tech Health Technology Start-Ups Andy Mychkovsky Healthcare Pizza Innovation Startups Source Type: blogs
What is an Opioid?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others. All individuals who take opioids run the risk of addiction. As such, when asking “what is an opioid?” it is important to know the different types, the signs of addiction, and the signs of an overdose.
Prescription Opioids
Opioids interact with the opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. This interaction interferes with communication between the body’s nerves and the brain. For ind...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - December 27, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Detox Resources for Alcohol and Drugs/Opiates Heroin Painkiller fentanyl opioid opioid crisis opioids prescription drug addiction Source Type: blogs
Signs of Opioid Use
What are the Signs of Opioid Use?
Opioids are a group of drugs derived naturally from the poppy plant, or are man-made in a laboratory, also known as synthetic opioids. Opioids are generally prescribed to individuals suffering from chronic pain, whether from surgery, a major injury or other health issues. Legally prescribed opioids include morphine, codeine, and oxycodone, while illegal opioids include heroin. It is easy to know if an individual is using opioids if they’ve been prescribed, but it is also important to know the signs of opioid use if it has crossed the line into an addiction.
Signs and Symptoms
There are m...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - December 11, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction to Pharmaceuticals Painkiller opioid opioids prescription drug abuse prescription drug addiction prescription drug detox prescription drugs prescription medication signs of addiction Source Type: blogs
Signs of Opioid Withdrawal
Opioid withdrawal is one of the more uncomfortable parts of treatment, but it is one of the most important. There are many signs of opioid withdrawal, the length and severity of which can vary from person to person. However, each detox experience almost always includes strong cravings. Symptoms can be mild, such as sweating and yawning, while others can become more serious, like severe anxiety and depression.
Opioid withdrawal can look like a scary experience; one that could deter people from getting the help they need. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be fought alone, and there are resources available to make i...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - December 6, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Recovery Detox Resources for Alcohol and Drugs/Opiates drug detox medical detox medicated-assisted detox opioid opioids prescription drug detox withdrawal withdrawal symptoms Source Type: blogs
It ’s Easier to Criticize Pain Patients Than to Criticize Drug Prohibition
Jeffrey A. SingerLast week theWashington Post featured an article in the "Outlook" section by Dr. James D. Hudson, a pain management specialist, lamenting Americans ’ “Dangerous Fear of Pain, ” arguing that the efforts by doctors to make their patients “pain free” has largely contributed to the overdose crisis.Public policy towards the overdose crisis is panic-driven., Often lacking a strong basis in evidence and fueled by the media, it marks a return to the opiophobia of the 1950s and 1960s. This has led to comments about people in pain like this one by former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions at a Tampapress ...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - December 4, 2019 Category: American Health Authors: Jeffrey A. Singer Source Type: blogs
What is the Definition of “Opioid”?
What is the Definition of “Opioid”?
The definition of opioid is as follows: Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.
Opioids work by interacting with the opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. By interacting with these receptors, opioids medications are able to cut off communication between the pain point on the body to the brain. This chemical interaction gives it’s users pain relief that is too great for over-t...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - November 15, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction to Pharmaceuticals fentanyl heroin heroin addiction opiate opiate abuse opiate addiction opiates opioid opioids Source Type: blogs
Do I Have an Oxycodone Addiction?
According to Healthline, Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It can be used short term or long term, depending on your condition. It is an opioid oral tablet and is better known by its other generic brand names, including Oxaydo, Roxicodone, Roxybond, and OxyContin. It is available in five forms, and since it is an opioid medication, it can be very easy to form an Oxycodone addiction. If you feel as if you may be forming an addiction to Oxycodone, make sure you are aware of the signs, symptoms and when it’s time to get help.
Oxycodone Addiction Warning Signs
Oxycodone can be a very helpful tool for many ...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - October 10, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction to Pharmaceuticals Painkiller Substance Abuse opiate opiate addiction opioid opioids oxycodone oxycodone abuse prescription drug abuse prescription drug addiction prescription drug use prescription drugs pre Source Type: blogs
