Rhode Island medical journal (2013)
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Prescription drug abuse/misuse in Rhode Island and the US is an epidemic. Chronic pain is often treated with prescription opiates which offer some relief, yet present risks to the patient of dependence, addiction and overdose. Physicians find themselves at times at odds with their patients regarding the management of pain and may feel bullied or pressured regarding prescribing. The Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline recognizes the value of established parameters for responsible and safe prescribing.
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Prescription drug abuse, misuse and unintentional overdose deaths are major public health concerns and have captured the attention of regulators at every level. There is no shortage of guidelines, laws, rules, regulations, and policies regarding opioid prescribing. Physicians struggle with their duty to treat pain, and yet balance this against the risk to patients as well as the potential for diversion. There are gaps in policy and resources such as lack of interdisciplinary pain clinics, addiction treatment, and education for prescribers and patients.
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Drug overdose and abuse is a growing epidemic nationally and for Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is a web-based system that collects all schedule II and III prescription information for prescriptions dispensed in or into Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy at the Rhode Island Department of Health operates this program and uses the information for investigative purposes to curb drug overdose and professional misconduct. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the use of PMP in Rhode Island.
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Successful cross-setting care transitions require timely, accurate and sufficient communication of clinical information between healthcare providers, so that downstream providers can immediately assume responsibility for patient care. However, despite our desire to provide the highest quality care to our patients, much variability exists in the frequency and effectiveness of communication during transitions. ⋯ They also present information about the Department of Health's Continuity of Care Form and Healthcentric Advisors' Best Practice Measures for Safe Transitions. Both tools establish core expectations for communication that can improve patients' experiences and health outcomes, as well as facilitate cross-setting collaboration, relationship building, and referral patterns.