Articles: opioid.
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We investigated whether written guidelines for surgeons and educational handouts for patients regarding safe and effective opioid use after hand surgery could reduce prescription sizes while achieving high patient satisfaction and a low refill rate. ⋯ Therapeutic II.
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Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can · Jun 2018
At-a-glance - Lessons learned from launching the Manitoba Take-Home Naloxone Program.
The Government of Manitoba launched the provincial Take-Home Naloxone Program in January 2017. By the end of September 2017, there were over 60 sites operating in Manitoba. ⋯ Fentanyl and carfentanil were the most common substances reported during overdose events. Take-Home Naloxone Program data provide important information about the unique context of the opioid crisis in Manitoba.
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Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr · Jun 2018
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Impact of Opioid Prescribing Protocol at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Prescription opioid medications continue to be abused on an epidemic level and have been shown to be a "gateway" drug to heroin abuse. Individuals experimenting with opioids commonly fall in the 10- to 19-year age range in which dentists are the highest prescribers. To reduce the number of excess opioids, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Minnesota, developed and implemented an evidence-based opioid prescribing policy. ⋯ The concern of undertreating pain was not found to be significant, as there was no increase in after-hours calls, recall appointments, or documentable emergency room visits. The results support the efficacy of an opioid prescribing policy's ability to lower the frequency and number of opioids given to patients, while still adequately treating patients' pain. Continued evaluation and modifications of the protocol and close monitoring of prescriber habits will enhance patients' pain control while also limiting the number of opioids available for abuse.
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Post-surgical pain impacts many patient outcomes. Effective pain management increasingly relies on multimodal analgesia regimens in which acetaminophen (APAP) is a key component. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of oral APAP versus intravenous (IV) APAP as a component of post-surgical pain management after Cesarean sections and hysterectomies. ⋯ Post-surgical pain managed with IV APAP in patients undergoing Cesarean section or hysterectomy was associated with shorter LOS, reduced risk of ORADEs, and lower opioid consumption compared to patients managed with oral APAP, without adversely impacting total pharmacy costs.