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…
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…
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;…
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 from opioids to nonopioid analgesics, according to James T. Jennings, M.D., medical director of adult primary care for Norton Medical…
Child maltreatment is a significant concern in society today. The primary goal should always be to prevent child maltreatment; however, when abuse does occur it is important for everyone to know how to recognize signs and how to respond. The following will discuss strategies for how you can help with prevention, recognition and response for…
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 Louisville, Kentucky. In 2016, Kentucky had the country’s fifth highest rate of deaths due to drug overdose. The opioid abuse…
An editorial in the latest American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Pediatrics, recommends adding an additional “S” to the HEADSSS acronym to become HEADS4. The revised acronym would equate to: home life, education, activities, drugs, sexual activity, safety, suicide and/or depression, and social media. Highlights from the editorial: Because aberrant social media use may mirror addiction,…