Articles: opioid.
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Opioid overdoses have increased at a concerning rate in recent years. Middle-aged individuals have been reported as an age group of high concern for opioid overdoses. The purpose of this study was to assess trends in opioid overdose 911 dispatches between Q1 2018 and Q3 2023 among different age groups. It was hypothesized that the steepest increase in dispatches would be among middle-aged individuals. ⋯ Middle-aged individuals experienced significant increases in opioid-related 911 dispatches between Q1 2018 and Q2 2021, and had the steepest increase compared to the other age groups. Conversely, younger-aged individuals have experienced a recent decrease in dispatches. These findings support previous indications that middle-aged individuals are at significant risk for opioid overdose. Additional research is necessary to identify geographic and demographic factors that may affect these trends.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2024
ReviewMitigating and preventing perioperative opioid-related harm.
Although necessary for treatment of acute pain, opioids are associated with significant harm in the perioperative period and further intervention is necessary perioperatively to mitigate opioid-related harm. ⋯ We will review policy and guidelines regarding perioperative opioid management and identify challenges and future directions to mitigate opioid-related harm.
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Palliative medicine · Dec 2024
ReviewPractice review: Pharmacological management of severe chronic breathlessness in adults with advanced life-limiting diseases.
Severe and refractory chronic breathlessness is a common and burdensome symptom in patients with advanced life-limiting disease. Its clinical management is challenging because of the lack of effective interventions. ⋯ Management of breathlessness remains challenging with only few pharmacological options with limited and partially conflicting evidence. Therefore, pharmacological treatment should be reserved for patients with advanced disease under monitoring of side effects, after optimisation of the underlying condition and use of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions as first-line treatment.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2024
Erector Spinae Blocks for opioid-sparing multimodal pain management after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.
Peripheral regional anesthesia is proposed to enhance recovery. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of bilateral continuous erector spinae plane blocks (B-ESpB) for postoperative analgesia and the impact on recovery in children undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ B-ESpBs are safe in children undergoing cardiac surgery. When performed as part of a multimodal pain strategy in an enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery program, pediatric patients with B-ESpB experience good pain control and require fewer opioids in the first 48 hours.
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Pain is a universal experience for hospitalized patients, with physical, psychological, spiritual, and cognitive implications. As hospitals seek to identify nonpharmaceutical options for managing acute pain, the role of chaplains has been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of nurses regarding chaplain involvement in pain management. ⋯ When developing and implementing new pain protocols based on holistic care of patients, hospitals should ensure that nursing staff are educated on when and how to incorporate chaplains as part of a holistic approach to managing acute pain.