Articles: opioid.
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Differential opioid prescribing patterns have been reported in non-White patient populations. However, these disparities have not been well described among hospitalized medical inpatients. ⋯ Black patients were less likely to receive opioids and received shorter courses at discharge compared with White patients, adjusting for covariates. Asian patients were the most likely to receive an opioid prescription.
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To compare opioid prescribing behavior of emergency medicine providers following the enactment of Connecticut Public Act (PA) 15-198 at a large academic tertiary medical center. ⋯ The passage of PA 15-198 was associated with a decrease in the cumulative dose of opioids per prescription of solid dosage form products. This drop was precipitated by a transition from using opioids in schedule II to opioids in schedule IV and a modest decrease in prescribed opioid quantity.
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Naloxone co-prescribing to individuals at increased opioid overdose risk is a key component of opioid overdose prevention efforts. ⋯ Co-prescription of naloxone represents a tangible clinical action that can be taken to help prevent opioid overdose deaths. However, despite recommendations to co-prescribe naloxone to patients at increased risk for opioid overdose, we found that co-prescribing rates remain low overall. States, insurers, and health systems should consider implementing strategies to facilitate increased co-prescribing of naloxone to at-risk individuals.
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J Subst Abuse Treat · Oct 2021
ReviewHow emergency department visits for substance use disorders have evolved during the early COVID-19 pandemic.
Higher opioid overdoses and drug use have reportedly occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide evidence on how emergency department (ED) visits for substance use disorders (SUD) changed in the early pandemic period. ⋯ The 2020/2019 ratios of SUD ED visits fell substantially early in the COVID-19 pandemic, yet less than non-SUD, non-COVID ED visits. SUD ED visit ratios partly or fully recovered to 2019 levels by early June 2020, but did not exceed early 2020 ratios.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2021
Case ReportsOpioid Induced Constipation and Acupuncture: A Case Discussion.
Use of acupuncture for treatment of functional constipation is well studied; however, studies examining use of acupuncture for opioid-induced constipation are limited. ⋯ Acupuncture for opioid-induced constipation may provide symptom relief through use of nonpharmacologic interventions; however, further studies are needed to determine the optimal therapeutic approach.