Articles: pandemics.
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In response to the opioid epidemic, prescribing guidelines and statewide surgical opioid management programs were initiated in 2018-19. This analysis aims to document the sustainability of a regional opioid stewardship consortium through the pandemic and beyond. ⋯ From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of patients taking opioids preoperatively decreased significantly, and the utilization of intraoperative blocks also increased significantly. The PENNJ-SOS program played a key role in combatting the opioid crisis over the four years of data collection, adapting effectively to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic.
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Vaccine mandates have been used to minimize the duty days lost and deaths attributable to infectious disease among active duty Service members (ADSMs). In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, in August 2021, the U.S. DoD issued a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all ADSMs. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the ADSM population, as well as factors associated with timing of COVID-19 vaccine receipt. ⋯ COVID-19 vaccine uptake was high among all ADSMs, with the majority initiating the primary series before the mandate. The high vaccine uptake among ADSMs shown here may be used as a guide to both military and civilian pandemic policy and outreach efforts related to enhanced vaccine uptake.