Great discussion – thank you. A few thoughts:
Health care seems to have swung from considering pain something that patients have to endure and concern about even end-of-life stage patients becoming “addicts,” which I understand resulted in enormous suffering,
To recognizing pain as the “fifth vital sign” and committing to eradicating it by…[Read more]

Here’s another one – first time poster here. Maybe it should go in a new post. Regardless, it’s an unbelievable story of missed symptoms and chalking up behaviors as psychiatric in origin.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/02/12/medical-mystery-mental-facility-ct-scan/?fbclid=IwAR2RJVO_YPZqjVjPHHnpmwfqqC9WOMUK7X0a2CKXJviy3YbYhZ5M77YJPpo

We did a video when I worked at MD Anderson to show as testimony to Texas legislators about how opioids helped our terminally ill patients have a good quality of life for the time they had left. The TX Lege was trying to crack down on opioids way back in the 1990s! We showed patients driving, continuing to work, etc. while on opioids for cancer…[Read more]

I have been using Enguard, HIPPA complaint (https://www.enguard.com/HIPAA-Compliance) for all business-related email communication for the last 3 years. Very reasonable price structure and one less thing to worry about.

I also have a gmail account which I use for some business purposes. My email signature includes the following: Please do not…[Read more]

Thank you for the kind words, AnnMarie.

Kudos to you for walking alongside the 2 clients you had. I agree, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

My hope is that the opioid prescribing pendulum will begin to swing back toward a more balanced, nuanced, and thoughtful approach once the new CDC guidelines can be implemented in health care organizations.…[Read more]

While I’m not a veteran advocate I’m friends with a lot of people who run their own healthcare-based businesses and this comes up a lot in my BCPA exam prep. My understanding is that the forms cover 90% of the potential issues, especially getting very clear in writing on with whom you can discuss the patient’s health. The rest is how PPI and healt…[Read more]

Hi folks!

I’d like to apologize for not posting more. I had a slow start but I’m getting myself caught up.

I feel that I have learned something from every chapter, but chapter six has been so interesting and useful. I’m get more excited and nervous with every passing week. Spring is almost here and I’m on target to open my practice, but there is…[Read more]

Chris,

What a sensitive post. I couldn’t agree more and thank you for educating me.

We have helped two clients become opioid free. Both had profound anatomical diagnoses and one of the two was addicted (purchased on the black market to supplement Rxs). In both cases, they were surprised that it wasn’t worse than it was which isn’t to suggest for…[Read more]

I’m going to respond to this again, this time without a voice in my ear repeatedly telling me that wait times are longer than usual and my patience is appreciated; over and over and over. ; )

I respectfully disagree with Marie that the patient is “without a doubt addicted”.

I want to make clear some of what I said in my earlier post.
Addiction…[Read more]

I just sent you a private message.

Hope to talk to you soon!
Nicole

Methadone is an excellent pain reducer.

The patient is with out a doubt addicted, and will need help reducing and/or changing drugs.

Chronic pain clinic,or addiction treatment.

Long term opiod use, causes more pain.

Good luck, you may want to think twice about taking him as a client.

Great discussion, and one we will likely see much more about over the coming years.

Be aware that beyond just a “push” to reduce opioid use, there are laws in place that make the doctor culpable if a patient ODs or dies, or in some states, if that patient breaks the law, or an assortment of other problems that take place, whether or not that…[Read more]

Nicole,

Thank you for your response.
I too focus on reducing medical bills and getting coverage covered from insurance companies. Let me know if you get any cases regarding this issue.

Chris, thank you so very much – your response was so informative. I will pursue all of the options you mentioned. I’ll let you know how I make out. Take Care!

Kathy,
I’m so sorry to hear about your potential client’s distress.
There is currently a HUGE push by the federal government to significantly decrease prescribing of opioids for ANYONE. This is supposed to decrease the number of opioid overdoses this country is seeing.
Unfortunately, there are many things wrong with the way of thinking.
1. I…[Read more]