Articles: opioid.
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The purpose of this study was to determine baseline adherence to key recommendations from the 2010 VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain at Veterans Health Administration (VA) facilities. We hoped to understand practice patterns at the time of guideline release to guide quality improvement and implementation efforts. ⋯ In 2010, guideline-recommended practices for opioid prescribing were variably used across VA health care systems. Efforts to disseminate practices used at high-performing sites, and increase consistency of use of recommended practices across patients and facilities should be considered to improve pain management and reduce adverse events.
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Evaluate health plan interventions targeting physician chronic opioid therapy (COT) prescribing. ⋯ Following initiatives implemented to alter physician prescribing practices and norms, mean opioid dose prescribed to COT patients declined more in intervention than control practices. Physicians reported more conservative beliefs regarding opioid prescribing immediately after completing an online course in 2011, but the course was not associated with additional reductions in mean daily opioid dose prescribed by physicians completing the course.
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Wounded soldiers often experience substantial pain, which must be addressed before returning to active duty or civilian life. The United States (US) military has instituted several guidelines and initiatives aimed at improving pain management by providing rapid access to medical care, and developing interdisciplinary multimodal pain management strategies based on outcomes observed both in combat and hospital settings. ⋯ The application of US military pain management guidelines has been shown to improve pain monitoring, education and relief. In addition, the US military has instituted the development of programs and guidelines to ensure proper use and discourage aberrant behaviours with regard to opioid use, because opioids are regarded as a critical part of acute and chronic pain management schemes. Inadequate pain management, particularly inadequate chronic pain management, remains a major problem for the general population in the US. Application of military strategies for pain management to the general US population may lead to more effective pain management and improved long-term patient outcomes.
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Multicenter Study
Catheter-tip Granulomas Associated with Intrathecal Drug Delivery - A Two-Center Experience Identifying 13 Cases.
Intrathecal (IT) drug therapy with implanted pumps is an effective treatment modality for chronic pain and/or spasticity, especially after non-invasive treatment has failed. Long-term use of intrathecal opioids may cause formation of inflammatory masses at the tip of intrathecal catheters, possibly leading to neurological deficits and/or catheter revision. ⋯ Our patient cohort with CG differed in some features, of which some like catheter localization, choice, dosage, and the concentration of drugs are potentially modifiable. These results could contribute to the prevention of CG in the future.
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Gen Hosp Psychiatry · Sep 2015
Associations of borderline personality with pain, problems with medications and suicidality in a community sample of chronic non-cancer pain patients prescribed opioids for pain.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is common in patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). BPD patients often report worse pain and are more likely to abuse opioid medication. Although the prevalence of suicidality is high in both CNCP patients and those with BPD, no studies have examined the interrelationship of BPD, CNCP and suicidality. This article aims to examine the prevalence and associations of BPD in a large community sample of CNCP patients and the association with medication problems and suicidality. ⋯ BPD symptoms were prevalent among people prescribed opioids for CNCP and are associated with a number of adverse consequences. Further, those screening positive were at elevated risk of suicidal behaviors. Careful opioid prescription monitoring and appropriate referrals by clinicians are warranted in BPD with CNCP.