Article
Surgery
Joshua D. Billings, Victoria Huynh, Laura D. Leonard, Alexandra Kovar, Teresa S. Jones, Ethan Cumbler, Nicole Christian, Kristin E. Rojas, Randall Meacham, Sarah E. Tevis
Summary: This study presents a successful quality improvement initiative in an academic medical center to improve adherence to guidelines for opioid prescribing. Through physician education and feedback reports, the study achieved an improvement in guideline-concordant opioid discharge prescriptions and a decrease in overprescribing.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jocelynn L. Cook
Summary: An opioid epidemic, which emerged in the 1990s, continues to affect individuals, families, communities, and societies worldwide. The epidemic has shifted from heroin misuse to the use of easily manufactured and readily available synthetic opioids. Its complex reasons include factors related to mental health, addiction, chronic pain relief, and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Women have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, and the specific physical and biosocial effects of opioid use on women are significant considerations for healthcare providers. Despite global efforts to understand the drivers and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies, programs, and policies, recent data indicate a rise in opioid use disorder rates, overdoses, and the economic impact of the epidemic.
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joshua A. Barocas, Alexandra Savinkina, Joella Adams, Raagini Jawa, Zoe M. Weinstein, Jeffrey H. Samet, Benjamin P. Linas
Summary: The study evaluated the clinical impact, costs, and cost-effectiveness of hospital-based strategies to address the US opioid epidemic, including expanding medications for opioid use disorder and implementing addiction consult services. The results showed that these interventions could reduce hospitalizations and overdose deaths among people who inject opioids in the USA.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Blanco, Melanie M. Wall, Mark Olfson
Summary: The quality and timeliness of US surveillance data often limits data-driven approaches, calling for investments in new infrastructure to prioritize improvements in data timeliness, representativeness, and flexibility while protecting the privacy of survey participants. The use of simulations, distributed research and data networks, alternative data sources, and blockchain technology could lead to an improved and more user-centered surveillance system.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Emily C. Serrell, Caprice C. Greenberg, Tudor Borza
Summary: Opioid prescribing after surgery remains a significant contributor to the national opioid epidemic, highlighting the need for direct engagement with surgeons and detailed data to address the limited response to current policies.
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Betty Tai, Ronald Dobbins, Quandra Blackeney, David Liu, Landhing Moran
Summary: The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) has expanded from six Nodes to 16 Nodes over the past two decades, forming a nationwide consortium of research scientists and treatment providers. The network focuses on improving care for substance use in communities and has completed 101 studies over 22 years. Specifically addressing the opioid epidemic, the CTN has developed a comprehensive list of research priorities, resulting in an opioid portfolio that includes five main categories of studies aimed at combating opioid use and addiction.
ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
K. C. Diwas, T. I. Tongil Kim, Jiayi Liu
Summary: In order to combat the opioid epidemic, many states have implemented policies requiring prescribers to use Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). However, a study shows that while opioid prescriptions decreased by 6.1% after PDMP mandates, there was an unintended increase in heroin overdose deaths. Stronger PDMP mandates were found to reduce opioid prescriptions but inadvertently increase heroin overdose deaths. These findings highlight the need to consider demand-side substitution effects when implementing supply-side restrictions like PDMP mandates.
PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael A. Incze
Summary: Endocarditis is a disease with diverse manifestations and malignant characteristics, requiring careful consideration and clinical insight for treatment.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Management
Katherine Bobroske, Michael Freeman, Lawrence Huan, Anita Cattrell, Stefan Scholtes
Summary: Operational interventions shortly after opioid initiation can reduce the likelihood of long-term opioid use. Provider discordance in revising treatment plan has a significant impact, regardless of the initial prescriber. The immediate reduction in prescribed opioids after follow-up appointment partially explains the long-term reduction in opioid use.
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Paul J. Jannetto
Summary: This article summarizes the background, current situation, and response measures of the opioid crisis in North America, emphasizing the abuse of opioids in the United States and Canada and the resulting deaths and health issues.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2021)
Article
Economics
Aljoscha Janssen, Xuan Zhang
Summary: This study examines the impact of retail pharmacy ownership on the opioid epidemic. The findings indicate that compared to chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies dispense significantly more opioids, particularly OxyContin. However, opioid dispensing decreases when an independent pharmacy transitions to a chain pharmacy. The study also highlights the influence of competitive pressure and pharmacist ownership on these estimates.
AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Molly Hutchinson, Eric Lavigne, Zachary Patterson
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable individuals, including those who use opioids. A study found that hospitalizations for opioid use disorder decreased during the pandemic, but hospitalizations related to opioid poisonings significantly increased.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hossein Omidian, Niloofar Babanejad, Yadollah Omidi
Summary: The primary tools to alleviate the opioid epidemic in the USA include strict laws on opioid prescriptions, tracking opioid medications, and boosting public awareness. While abuse-deterrent opioids have helped lower opioid abuse, there are still pending post-marketing studies and some products have been recalled or terminated. There is a strong need for nonaddictive opioids and alternative non-opioid options for acute pain management.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Robert R. Slater, Laurel Beverley
Summary: This article discusses the ongoing epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors review the medical-legal risks physicians face when prescribing pain-relieving medications for orthopaedic patients and suggest responsible pain management plans.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nathan Ash, Jedediah Tuten, Wayne Bohenek, Brian Latham
Summary: Mercy Health's comprehensive approach to the opioid epidemic has successfully impacted opioid prescribing habits, screening practices, and community outreach through the establishment of an Opioid Steering Committee and four subcommittees, leading to a significant reduction in opioid burden and high-dose prescription orders.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACY
(2021)
Letter
Emergency Medicine
Rachel S. Wightman, Mary Ann Howland, Lewis S. Nelson
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2016)
Article
Toxicology
Robert L. Glover, Nicholas J. Connors, Cristiana Stefan, Ernest Wong, Robert S. Hoffman, Lewis S. Nelson, Mark Milstein, Silas W. Smith, Michael Swerdlow
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Anesthesiology
Adam C. Pomerleau, Lewis S. Nelson, Jason A. Hoppe, Matthew Salzman, Paul S. Weiss, Jeanmarie Perrone
Article
Emergency Medicine
R. S. Wightman, L. S. Nelson, J. D. Lee, L. M. Fox, S. W. Smith
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2018)
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Lewis S. Nelson
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lindsay Fox, Lewis S. Nelson
Editorial Material
Emergency Medicine
Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi, Sergey Motov, Lewis S. Nelson
ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Gregory G. Davis, Amy B. Cadwallader, Corinne L. Fligner, Thomas P. Gilson, Emma R. Hall, Kent E. Harshbarger, Robert Kronstrand, Craig T. Mallak, Jerri L. McLemore, Robert A. Middleberg, Owen L. Middleton, Lewis S. Nelson, Agnieszka Rogalska, Eric Tonsfeldt, Jeff P. Walterscheid, Ruth E. Winecker
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Toxicology
Christopher W. Meaden, Christine Ramdin, Bruce Ruck, Lewis S. Nelson, Chloe Soukas, Mitchell Hirsch, Peter Alsharif, David Beckford, Diane P. Calello
Summary: Poison Centers are able to respond to public health threats like COVID-19 pandemic due to their operational hotlines. NJPIES operated New Jersey Coronavirus Hotline and analyzed call patterns, subject matter, and strategies. The centers can adapt rapidly and meet the needs of the public during times of health threats.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Toxicology
David Loughran, Jeena Jacob, Diane Calello, Lewis Nelson
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Joseph D'Orazio, Lewis Nelson, Jeanmarie Perrone, Rachel Wightman, Rachel Haroz
Summary: The translation of this passage introduces the background and usage of Xylazine, as well as its widespread use in illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The review discusses the pharmacology, clinical effects, and the management of related issues during treatment.
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi, Erin R. Fox, Lewis S. Nelson, Silas W. Smith, Andrew I. Stolbach
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Substance Abuse
Joseph J. Palamar, Patricia Acosta, Austin Le, Charles M. Cleland, Lewis S. Nelson
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Frederick W. Nagel, Jessica A. Kattan, Shivani Mantha, Lewis S. Nelson, Hillary V. Kunins, Denise Paone
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE
(2018)
Article
Toxicology
Hong K. Kim, Lewis S. Nelson
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2016)
