Medications for opioid use disorder: bridging the gap in care
For the past two decades, the USA has been in the throes of an opioid crisis marked by a rising number of deaths; in 2016, opioids were responsible for most of the nation’s estimated 64 000 fatal drug overdoses.1 The problem began with overprescribing of opioid analgesics in the 1990s, which exposed pain patients to the […]
Trump Administration Issues Guidance on Waivers of IMD Rule
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors, outlining a new waiver process to allow Medicaid payment of broad range of services for opioid and other substance use disorders (SUD), including residential treatment. The letter, issued in response to President Trump’s declaration of an opioid public health […]
Multiple Naloxone Administrations Among Emergency Medical Service Providers is Increasing
Opioid overdoses are at epidemic levels in the United States. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers may administer naloxone to restore patient breathing and prevent respiratory arrest. There was a need for contemporary data to examine the number of naloxone administrations in an EMS encounter. Read abstract ›
The Effectiveness of Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone vs Daily Buprenorphine-Naloxone for Opioid Dependence
Are monthly intramuscular injections with extended-release naltrexone hydrochloride as effective as daily oral buprenorphine–naloxone hydrochloride in reducing the use of heroin and other illicit substances in newly detoxified, opioid-dependent individuals? Read abstract ›
Prescribing patterns of buprenorphine waivered physicians
DATA 2000 enabled physicians with approved training to be waivered to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) for a limited number of patients. A rule change in 2016 increased the patient limit for certain buprenorphine waivered physicians from 100 to 275. This study examines the prescribing patterns of buprenorphine prescribers by […]
Steering Committee Meets to Discuss Strategy
Members of the PCSS Steering Committee met last week in Washington, D.C., energized and motivated to strategize and brainstorm for the coming year. The overall goal of the meeting was to share what PCSS has accomplished in the past year, discuss proposed activities, and create a strategic plan for the future. The objective was to […]
Advanced Studies Essentials of Addiction Medicine Course – Oct 28th to 29th
The AOAAM will offer an Essential of Addiction Medicine Course on October 28 and 29, 2017 in Lansing, Michigan. The two-day course will cover fundamentals in addiction medicine and offer 16 hours of AOA Category 1-A CME. This course is designed to provide up-to-date data and practice techniques for basic through advanced addiction treatment, and […]
The American Congress of Obsetetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Issues Guidelines on Opioid Use During Pregnancy
A free subscription to Medscape is required to complete this CME/ABIM MOC/CE activity. Join Medscape › The goal of this activity is to provide medical news to primary care clinicians and other healthcare professionals in order to enhance patient care. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: Evaluate recommendations for screening for […]
Pain Management Alternatives: Information and Concepts Every Provider Needs to Know – Training
September 11, 2017 9:00am – 4:00pm CECS: 6 (CMEs UPON REQUEST) | FEE: $30 Katherine Golar, MD, Jaquel Paterson, ND, Tracey Sondik, PsyD, & Kathryn Templeton, MA, RDT/MT There is a growing body of evidence to show that various forms of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (CAM) can be beneficial to patients with pain. At […]
Patient Outcomes in Dose Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Therapy: A Systematic Review
Expert guidelines recommend reducing or discontinuing long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) when risks outweigh benefits, but evidence on the effect of dose reduction on patient outcomes has not been systematically reviewed. Read abstract ›
