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Reducing opioid use before and after spine surgery
Until recently, opioids have been the analgesic of choice for managing back pain before and after surgery. Now we are in the midst of an opioid crisis and know all too well the many drawbacks [...]
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Opioid prescribing guidelines and best practices
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not consider opioids a first-line therapy. CDC opioid prescribing guidelines favor nonopioid therapies for chronic pain outside of active cancer, palliative care and end-of-life care. These […]
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Addressing smoking and opioid use prior to spine surgery could reduce dependence after discharge
In-hospital consumption of opioids after elective spine surgery is driven chiefly by age, previous opioid use, smoking and the number of levels fused, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Spine Surgery. […]
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‘MedChat’ podcast, episode 8: Opioid addiction
Episode eight of the “MedChat” podcast is now available. This episode, “Use and Abuse – Opioid Addiction,” discusses the prevalence of illegal drugs and the culture. In 2017, overdose fatalities in Kentucky rose by 11%, […]
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Providers can get urgent help with opioid-related questions and issues
Kentucky has a new resource to battle the commonwealth’s opioid epidemic. The Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital has launched a 24/7 support hotline for health care providers, patients and first responders on […]
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The surgeon’s role in opioid stewardship
The causes of the opioid crisis are varied. The excessive prescribing of opioids across the nation is among the leading contributing factors. It is known that opiates are widely over-prescribed following surgery, with 80% or […]
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Nonopioid pain management options
Norton Specialty Rehabilitation Center Norton Specialty Rehabilitation Center offers physical therapy for chronic pain, including strength training, flexibility exercises and posture awareness. These active treatments can aid in reducing or eliminating the use of pain […]
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‘MedChat’ podcast, episodes 5 and 6: Medically assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
Episodes five and six of the “MedChat” podcast are now available. Both episodes, “Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder,” a two-part topic, address the rise in overdose fatalities in Kentucky. It is critical for […]
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Research shows opioids are ineffective for chronic pain
Research shows there are some short-term benefits of opioid therapy in certain situations, but there are no studies showing the long-term effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain. As a result, a paradigm shift is underway […]
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Continuing medical education focusing on opioid epidemic now available online
Two presentations from the 2018 R. Dietz Wolfe, M.D. Lectureship, “A Fine Line: Abuse and Addiction,” now are available for viewing online. The annual lectureship took place on Aug. 22, 2018, at The Olmsted in […]
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Complying with MATE Act requirements
Legislation signed in December 2022 affects Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners and requires a one-time, eight-hour training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders. MATE Act compliance training [...]
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Erector spinae plane block and pediatric heart surgery
Using an anesthesia block such as erector spinae plane block in some pediatric cardiac surgeries has allowed us to quicken patient recovery, shorten stays in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and extubate sooner. By […]
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