miércoles, 27 de junio de 2018

Progress in preventing opioid abuse, more needs to be done | Health.mil

Progress in preventing opioid abuse, more needs to be done | Health.mil
health dot mil banner image

Progress in preventing opioid abuse, more needs to be done

Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Pick, with the 66th Security Forces Squadron, holds a nasal applicator and naloxone medication vial at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Naloxone is one of several medications designed to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Hanscom was the first Air Force installation to issue the drug to law enforcement personnel under permission of the base commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)

Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Pick, with the 66th Security Forces Squadron, holds a nasal applicator and naloxone medication vial at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Naloxone is one of several medications designed to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Hanscom was the first Air Force installation to issue the drug to law enforcement personnel under permission of the base commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)

WASHINGTON — The Military Health System is making progress in preventing and managing opioid abuse among its beneficiaries, but further actions in education and prevention are needed, the director of the Defense Health Agency said recently. 
Navy Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono told the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee that the Military Health System has an obligation to provide the best care for its beneficiaries, including in pain management, while taking steps to prevent addiction.
"The department has made strides in managing opioid abuse within our system and is continuously looking to further enhance our programs,” she told the committee members.
Less than one percent of active duty service members either abuse or are addicted to opioids, she said, adding, the overdose death rate among active duty service members is 2.7 out of 100,000, half of the national rate when adjusted for demographics.
Steps to Educate, Prevent, Manage
In the Military Health System, 83 percent of long-term opioid patients are older than 45 years old, most likely to be retirees or retiree family members, and obtain most of their care from outside of military hospitals and clinics, Bono said.
She outlined steps the department is taking to prevent opioid abuse, to include: instituting comprehensive provider education that leads to a reduction in opioid prescribing; expanding partnerships with federal, state, private sector and contracted partners; developing alternatives to opioids for both direct and Purchased CareThe TRICARE Health Program is often referred to as purchased care. It is the services we “purchase” through the managed care support contracts.purchased care settings; and further expanding a prescription drug monitoring program to include state monitoring programs.
Commitment to Patients, Nation
The Military Health System’s mission is to ensure the medical readiness of the nation’s armed forces and provide world-class healthcare for its 9.4 million beneficiaries, Bono told the committee.
As part of the larger U.S. health system, the Military Health System has a shared responsibility in addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic, she said.
"This crisis is touching the lives of so many of our fellow citizens and the department is committed to playing its part to help combat the epidemic and ensure our patients receive the finest care we can provide,” Bono said.
She explained DoD’s approach to the opioid crisis has a dual focus: to implement a comprehensive model of pain management that focuses on nonpharmacologic pain treatments; and to optimize safe usage for patients when opioid use is necessary.
The department, according to Bono, is “making headway, but there is more to be done in educating our patients and providers on threats from opioid addiction and strategies to reduce abuse.”
Disclaimer: Re-published content may have been edited for length and clarity. Read original post.

DHA PI 6025.04: Pain Management and Opioid Safety in the MHS

Policy
The purpose of our MHS Pain Management Campaign is to enable Clinical Communities to provide evidence-based pain management guided by clinical practice guidelines (CPGs): effectively treat acute and chronic pain; promote non-pharmacologic treatment; prevent acute pain from becoming chronic; and minimize use of opioids with appropriate prescribing only when indicated. The Pain Management Clinical Support Service achieves these ends through clinical improvements in pain care, clinician and patient education, and research. This Defense Health Agency-Procedural Instruction (DHA-PI) is a dual effort between the Pain Management Clinical Support Service and the Clinical Communities to achieve our stated purpose through implementation of the MHS Stepped Care Model.

The sobering reality of one drink too many

Article
1/16/2018
Some people follow the boozy holiday season with Dry January, an unofficial movement to abstain from alcohol for 31 days. But alcohol consumption is a year-round activity, and for some, a year-round problem that requires professional help. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Sahara. L. Fales)
Resolve to limit alcohol, experts recommend
Recommended Content:
Substance Abuse

Celebrate good times! No luck, charms or alcohol required

Article
3/17/2017
Marine Cpl. Edward Blodgett, wears a leprechaun hat at a regimental run in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at Camp Pendleton, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Khoa Pelczar)
Unless you’ve been hiding under the Blarney Stone, you’ve seen the shamrocks — St. Patrick’s Day is upon us
Recommended Content:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder | Traumatic Brain Injury | Substance Abuse

New year, new medicine cabinet

Article
1/13/2017
The Military Health System has a drug take back program to help service members and their families dispose of their medications safely. The Department of Justice also has a national take-back initiative. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Valerie Monroy)
Many of our medicine cabinets have bottles of prescribed and over-the-counter medications that are expired or that we no longer use
Recommended Content:
Drug Take Back Program | Substance Abuse

To drink or not to drink: Have a plan

Article
12/21/2016
USS John C. Stennis' crew and family members dance during a command holiday party. For someone concerned about alcohol intake or battling substance abuse, social events may seem threatening. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Jiang)
For someone concerned about alcohol intake or battling substance abuse, social events may seem threatening
Recommended Content:
Substance Abuse | Integrative Wellness

Military Drug Take Back Program offers safe drug disposal

Article
9/12/2016
Excess prescription and over-the-counter drugs can pose a serious risk in your home. The Military Health System is helping the military community fight back against the dangers of unneeded, unused and expired drugs by offering Drug Take Back at U.S. military pharmacies. Most pharmacies have fixed containers in place where you can drop off excess drugs. Airman 1st Class Hannah McDonald, 1st Special Operations Medical Squadron pharmacy apprentice, disposes of an unwanted prescription in to a container in the pharmacy lobby on Hurlburt Field, Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kai White)
The Military Health System is helping the military community fight back against the dangers of unneeded, unused and expired drugs
Recommended Content:
Drug Take Back Program | Substance Abuse

DoD Instruction 1010.04: Problematic Substance Use by DoD Personnel

Policy
Establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for problematic alcohol and drug use prevention, identification, diagnosis, and treatment for DoD military and civilian personnel.
  • Identification #: DoD Instruction 1010.04
  •  
  • Date: 2/20/2014
  •  
  • Type: Instructions
  •  
  • Topics: Substance Abuse

No hay comentarios: