Adult Services, Spine

Norton Leatherman Spine physicians to present at Scoliosis Research Society meeting

Norton Leatherman Spine physicians have a history of innovation and research in areas such as spine surgery safety, spinal deformities and patient-reported outcomes. As participants in numerous studies and trials, our specialist physicians also offer access to ground-breaking treatments. See a list of current clinical trials. Congratulations to Norton Leatherman Spine physicians whose abstracts have been…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, General Surgery, Pain Management

Reducing narcotics use for pain after surgery

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, or ERAS, is being used for heart, colorectal, abdominal, and hip and knee replacement surgeries at Norton Healthcare. It was piloted at Norton Audubon Hospital four years ago and has since been implemented at Norton Healthcare’s other adult-service hospitals. With ERAS, patients receive non-narcotic analgesics before surgery, decreasing the need for…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, System

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 even more of the dispensed medications going unused after common surgical procedures. Nearly 40% of outpatient prescriptions written by surgeons…

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Adult Services, Medical Group

Norton Medical Group welcomes these new providers as of August 1, 2019

Sarah H. Callahan, M.D. Norton Breast Radiology Medical degree: University of Louisville School of Medicine Residency: Radiology, University of Louisville Hospital Leigh Ann Gebhardt, APRN Norton Community Medical Associates – Shelbyville Degree: Chamberlain University College of Nursing, Downers Grove, Illinois Rangaraj K. Gopalraj, M.D., Ph.D. Norton Community Medical Associates – Geriatrics Medical degree: Kilpauk Medical…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, Pain Management

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 medication. “Research shows exercise and active treatment is one of the most effective therapies for chronic pain and addressing disability,”…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, CME

‘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 physicians and providers to be aware of the prevalence of illegal drugs and understand this culture — as legal prescribing…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health

Frequently asked questions about prescribing naloxone

According to the surgeon general of the United States, the number of overdose deaths from prescription and illicit opioids doubled from 21,089 in 2010 to 42,249 in 2016. This steep increase is attributed to the rapid proliferation of illicitly made fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids. These are being mixed with heroin, sold alone…

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Adult Services, Oncology/Hematology

Chandler Park, M.D., joins Norton Cancer Institute

Chandler H. Park, M.D., is the newest medical oncologist/hematologist with Norton Cancer Institute. Dr. Park earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed his residency in radiology and internal medicine at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, followed by fellowships in hematology/oncology at West Virginia University, Morgantown, and immunotherapy at University…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, Behavioral and Mental Health, Pain Management

How to use the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD)

The morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) translates the dose and route of each opioid a patient has received over the previous 24 hours to a morphine equivalent using a standard conversion table. The MEDD should be used anytime an opiate is prescribed. “This formula helps in the vigilant monitoring, reduction and tapering; prescription of naloxone;…

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Adult Services, Medical Group

Norton Medical Group welcomes these new providers as of July 1, 2019

Bahjat AlAdili, M.D. Norton Inpatient Specialists Medical degree: St. George’s University School of Medicine Residency: Internal medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine   Brandon C. Dennis, Psy.D. Norton Neurology Services Degree: Xavier University Residency: Clinical neuropsychology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine Fellowship: Clinical neuropsychology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine   Don R….

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Adult Services, Neuroscience

Duane W. Densler, M.D., joins Norton Neuroscience Institute

Neurosurgeon Duane W. Densler, M.D., has joined Norton Neuroscience Institute. Dr. Densler earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He completed residencies in general surgery and neurosurgery at University of Louisville School of Medicine. Prior to joining Norton Healthcare, Dr. Densler served as chief of the neurosurgical division and director of neurosurgical…

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Addiction Medicine, Adult Services, CME, Obstetrics

‘MedChat’ podcast, episode 4: Jonathan W. Weeks, M.D., discusses pregnancy and addiction

Episode four of the “MedChat” podcast is now available. This episode, “Addressing Opioid Use During Pregnancy,” discusses the significant increase in infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the last decade. The podcast will help providers stay current on the practice guidelines available to prevent NAS and minimize the effects when possible. Moderator James…

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