OSHA Guidance on Who to Drug Test Post-Accident
OSHA posts additional guidance regarding drug testing post-accident. http://bit.ly/2nx14ey
Missouri PDMP Bill – Are we almost there yet?
According to the National Safety Council, Missouri’s legislature is again mired in debate over implementation of a proposed prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). As a past Missouri native, this reluctance to implement a PDMP is distressing. PDMPs are databases designed to track prescribing and dispensing of controlled prescription drugs. [...]
Where is Case Management Going in 2017?
I have read multiple blogging prognosticators discussing their predictions for workers' compensation in 2017. Some funny, some serious. Just ask my husband, I always have to either have the last word or at least make sure my opinion is also included in any discussion. So here goes with my [...]
Tylenol vs. Opioids, Which is more effective? – written for SEAK blog
Here is a link to Part 2 of an article written for SEAK. http://workerscompensationconference.com/pain-relief-tylenol-vs-opiod/
Doctor’s Prescribing Habits linked to Drug Company Gifts
This study backs up ongoing concerns voiced regarding the practice of pharmaceutical reps providing gifts to physicians. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/863304?nlid=105107_2981&src=wnl_dne_160517_mscpedit&uac=249582HK&impID=1099469&faf=1 Another very in-depth article on this http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2811591/ How does this relate to the Opioid Epidemic? Take a look at this article that details Purdue Pharma and their role in marketing Valium and Oxyconting: http://theweek.com/articles/541564/how-american-opiate-epidemic-started-by-pharmaceutical-company
TALKING TO THE INJURED WORKER ABOUT SENSITIVE TOPICS
TALKING TO PATIENTS ABOUT SENSITIVE TOPICS As the opioid epidemic and its aftermath continues to run its course, the federal government is beginning to take notice and more importantly, action. At the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit last week in Atlanta a surprise visitor, President Obama attended [...]
Does Nonmedical Abuse of Opioids Lead to Heroin Abuse?
I have been doing some research for an upcoming presentation and for a research paper for an organization I recently joined. Everything I have been reading lately points to concerns that decreased opioid prescribing will lead to an increase in heroin abuse. I have shared this information in numerous talks [...]
New Direction – Part 4 Which pain medication is best for a specific type of pain?
In previous segments of this post we discussed the concept of Number Needed to Treat (NNT) and which medication or combination medication had the lowest NNT. Surprisingly the medication with the lowest NNT was not an opioid. It was Ibuprofen 200 mg + acetaminophen 500 mg: The combination of these [...]
New Direction – Part 3 Drum Roll Please: The medication with the Lowest NNT for acute pain?
I believe if we took a poll of doctors, nurses, claims professionals, employers, and injured workers most would state their belief that opioids are stronger than other pain medications (NSAIDs or acetaminophen). Several organizations have reviewed the comparative effectiveness of oral pain medications. In part 2 of this series, I [...]
New Direction – Part 2 What is “Number Needed to Treat”?
Number Needed to Treat (NNT) was a term with which I was unfamiliar. The Center for Evidence Based Medicine defines the Number Needed to Treat as the number of patients you need to treat to prevent one additional bad outcome (death, stroke, etc.). For example, if a drug has an NNT [...]
New Direction – Is Tylenol better than Opioids? Part 1 of a Series
I read an article today that I am really excited about. It was written by Dr. Donald Teater, M.D. and titled, "Evidence for the efficacy of pain medications." At first I thought, "I have read a million articles like this." But I got sucked in pretty quickly as it [...]