Articles: opioid.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Oct 2018
Strong opioid prescription in cancer patients in their final year of life: A population-based analysis using a Taiwanese health insurance database.
Pain assessment and management have been important criteria in hospital accreditation in Taiwan since 2007. We used a Taiwanese health insurance database to determine factors influencing patterns of strong opioid use in cancer patients in their final 12 months of life. ⋯ Strong opioid prescriptions varied among patients with different cancer diagnoses and physicians. Information from this study can guide efforts to improve patient and physician education about cancer pain management.
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Benzodiazepines have been identified as a concurrent factor in opioid related deaths. Although the dangers of concomitant administration of opioids and benzodiazepines are well documented, implementation of this knowledge into practice may be lagging behind. ⋯ III.