These investigators found that the routine use of acetaminophen alone rather than a combination acetaminophen-opioid significantly reduced overall and daily opioid use. In addition, there was no worse effect on overall pain score or length of stay.
This article aims to provide acute care providers with advanced techniques in the management of opioid overdoses, including the use of naloxone, the opioid receptor antagonist, as well as harm reduction management strategies aimed at long-term risk mitigation in this vulnerable population.
Kratom, a plant that is banned in some countries, is available in the United States and has some safety concerns, mostly related to its opioid-like effects.
This cross-sectional survey of 720 women found that 85% filled an opioid prescription after cesarean delivery, and the median number of tablets dispensed was 40. The median number of tablets consumed was only 20 tablets and the number dispensed did not correlate with patient satisfaction, pain control, or the need for a refill.
The growing presence of opioid addicts in healthcare facilities can create a legal obligation to anticipate the patient safety risks they can introduce, says Erin L. Muellenberg, JD, partner with the law firm of Arent Fox in Los Angeles.
The opioid addiction epidemic is introducing a new patient safety risk to healthcare facilities: the possibility of desperate and clever opioid addicts diverting medications from patients, which could leave the provider liable for any consequences.
With 78 opioid-related deaths a day, what can one healthcare staff member do? The answer is plenty, according to a panel discussion at the recent annual meeting of the American Medical Association.
