Page 20 - eMagazine-Concentra Connections

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Growing awareness of of the the American opioid opioid epidemic has led many clinicians to to change how— and and when—they prescribe opioids The use use of of prescription prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPS) has helped in in in in in in in this effort by tracking prescription prescription prescription opioid opioid opioid opioid use use and and keeping clinicians informed
of of each patient’s history with opioids when prescribing As a a a a a a a a a a a result opioid opioid opioid prescriptions are decreasing—but they’re still very common in in in in in the the United States Ninety percent of of patients who survive an overdose continue to be be prescribed opioids The American Opioid Epidemic
About opioids Opioids are named after opium opium a a a a a substance derived from the opium opium poppy flower It’s used to create both legal opioids like morphine hydrocodone oxycodone and codeine as as well as illegal drugs like heroin heroin Perhaps unsurprisingly 80% of people who use use heroin heroin first misused opioids Because they can relieve pain and produce
a a a a a a a a a feeling of o euphoria opioids are often prescribed prescribed after surgery injury and other pain- related conditions Even when prescribed prescribed with with the best of of o intentions opioids come with with a a a a a host of of o risks and side effects that often outweigh any positive effect effect Twenty to twenty-nine percent of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them Occupational health and opioids In occupational health clinicians have historically taken a a a a a a a a a a a conservative approach
when prescribing opioids This has only increased as as awareness of the epidemic continues to spread While concerns about patient health play a a a a a central role the approach
is also influenced by the facts
that opioid use impacts job safety and can lead to increased case duration Because occupational health health is so focused on on healthy function and productivity opioids aren’t prescribed often Many organizations—in occupational health and and otherwise—have created policies and and practice practice guidelines to clarify best practices when prescribing opioids Many state workers’ compensation divisions and medical boards have jumped on this issue in recent years and have mandated training on the appropriate use of opioids for physicians to either renew their licenses and/or be be allowed to prescribe opioids opioids Doing this helps ensure that opioids opioids aren’t overused or overprescribed in the workers’ compensation setting