Articles: opioid.
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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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Although the erector spinae plane block has been used in various truncal surgical procedures, its clinical benefits in patients undergoing spinal surgery remain controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical benefits of erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing spinal surgery. ⋯ Erector spinae plane block improves analgesic efficacy among patients undergoing spinal surgery compared with nonblocked controls; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the benefits of erector spinae plane block for rapid recovery.
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This study assesses the associations between the recent implementation of robust features of state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and the abrupt discontinuation of long-term opioid therapies. ⋯ Discontinuation without tapering was the norm for long-term opioid therapies in the samples throughout the study years. Findings do not support the notion that policies aimed at enhancing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program use were associated with substantial increases in abrupt long-term opioid therapy discontinuation.
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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 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.