scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding opioid use in the pediatric emergency department

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e10-e10
Author(s):  
Megan Fowler ◽  
Samina Ali ◽  
Serge Gouin ◽  
Amy Drendel ◽  
Naveen Poonai ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Inadequate pain management in children is ubiquitous in the emergency department (ED). Inadequate pain management in children can have both short and long term detrimental effects. As the current national opioid crisis has highlighted, physicians are caught between balancing pain management and the risk of long term opioid dependence. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe paediatric emergency physicians’ (PEPs) willingness to prescribe opioids to children in the ED and at discharge, perceived knowledge regarding common fears and myths about opioid use, management approach to hypothetical scenarios of varying musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I) pain in children, and perceived facilitators and barriers to prescribing opioids. DESIGN/METHODS A unique survey tool was created using published methodology guidelines. Information regarding practices, knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, facilitators and demographics were collected. The survey was distributed to all physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC), using a modified Dillman’s Tailored Design method, from October to December 2017. RESULTS The response rate was 49.7% (124/242); 53% (57/107) were female, mean age was 43.6 years (+/- 8.7), and 58% (72/124) had paediatric emergency subspecialty training. The most common first line pain medication in the ED was ibuprofen for mild, moderate and severe MSK-I related pain (94.4% (117/124), 89.5% (111/124), and 62.9% (78/124), respectively). For moderate and severe MSK-I pain, intranasal fentanyl was the most common opioid for first (35.5% (44/124) and 61.3% (76/124), respectively) and second line pain management (41.1% (51/124) and 20.2% (25/124), respectively). 74.8% (89/119) of PEPs reported that an opioid protocol would be helpful, specifically for morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone. Using a 0–100 scale, physicians minimally worried about physical dependence (13.3 +/-19.3), addiction (16.6 +/-19.8), and diversion of opioids (32.8+/-26.4) when prescribing short-term opioids to children. They reported that the current opioid crisis minimally influenced their willingness to prescribe opioids (30.0 +/-26.2). Physicians reported rarely (36%; 45/125) or never (28%; 35/125) completing a screening risk assessment prior to prescribing opioids. CONCLUSION Intranasal fentanyl was the top opioid for all MSK-I pain intensities. PEPs are minimally concerned regarding dependence, addiction, and the current opioid crisis when prescribing short-term opioids to children. There is an urgent need for evidence regarding the dependence and addiction risk for children receiving short term opioids in order to create knowledge translation tools for ED physicians. Opioid specific protocols in the ED would likely improve physician comfort in responsible and adequate pain management for children.

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S37-S37
Author(s):  
M. A. Fowler ◽  
S. Ali ◽  
N. Poonai ◽  
K. Dong ◽  
S. Gouin ◽  
...  

Introduction: Inadequate pain management in children is ubiquitous in the emergency department (ED). As the current national opioid crisis has highlighted, physicians are caught between balancing pain management and the risk of long term opioid dependence. This study aimed to describe pediatric emergency physicians (PEPs) willingness to prescribe opioids to children in the ED and at discharge. Methods: A unique survey tool was created using published methodology guidelines. Information regarding practices, knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, facilitators and demographics were collected. The survey was distributed to all physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC), using a modified Dillmans Tailored Design method, from October to December 2017. Results: The response rate was 49.7% (124/242); 53% (57/107) were female, mean age was 43.6 years (+/− 8.7), and 58% (72/124) had pediatric emergency subspecialty training. The most common first line ED pain medication was ibuprofen for mild, moderate and severe musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I)-related pain (94.4% (117/124), 89.5% (111/124), and 62.9% (78/124), respectively). For moderate and severe MSK-I, intranasal fentanyl was the most common opioid for first (35.5% (44/124) and 61.3% (76/124), respectively) and second line pain management (41.1% (51/124) and 20.2% (25/124), respectively). 74.8% (89/119) of PEPs reported that an opioid protocol would be helpful, specifically for morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone. Using a 0-100 scale, physicians minimally worried about physical dependence (13.3 +/−19.3), addiction (16.6 +/−19.8), and diversion of opioids (32.8+/−26.4) when prescribing short-term opioids to children. They reported that the current opioid crisis minimally influenced their willingness to prescribe opioids (30.0 +/−26.2). Physicians reported rarely (36%; 45/125) or never (28%; 35/125) completing a screening risk assessment prior to prescribing opioids. Conclusion: Ibuprofen remains the most common medication recommended for MSK-I pain in the ED and at discharge. Intranasal fentanyl was the top opioid for all pain intensities. PEPs are minimally concerned regarding dependence, addiction, and the current opioid crisis when prescribing short-term opioids to children. There is an urgent need for robust evidence regarding the dependence and addiction risk for children receiving short term opioids in order to create knowledge translation tools for ED physicians. Opioid specific protocols for both in the ED and at discharge would likely improve physician comfort in responsible and adequate pain management for children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Molloy ◽  
Wendy Shields ◽  
Molly W Stevens ◽  
Andrea C Gielen

Abstract Background Minor injuries are very common in the pediatric population and often occur in the home environment. Despite its prevalence, little is known about outcomes in children following minor injury at home. Understanding the impact of these injuries on children and their families is important for treatment, prevention, and policy. The objectives of our study were (1) To describe the distribution of short-term outcomes following pediatric minor injuries sustained at home and (2) To explore the relationship of injury type and patient and household demographics with these outcomes. Methods Children (n = 102) aged 0–7 years with a minor injury sustained at home were recruited in an urban pediatric emergency department as part of the Child Housing Assessment for a Safer Environment (CHASE) observational study. Each patient had a home visit following the emergency department visit, where five parent-reported outcomes were assessed. Relationships were explored with logistic regression. Results The most common type of injury was soft tissue (57.8 %). 13.2 % of children experienced ≥ 7 days of pain, 21.6 % experienced ≥ 7 days of abnormal activity, 8.9 % missed ≥ 5 days of school, 17.8 % of families experienced ≥ 7 days of disruption, and 9.1 % of parents missed ≥ 5 days of work. Families reported a total of 120 missed school days and 120 missed work days. Children who sustained a burn had higher odds of experiencing pain (OR 6.97), abnormal activity (OR 8.01), and missing school (OR 8.71). The parents of children who sustained a burn had higher odds of missing work (OR 14.97). Conclusions Families of children suffering a minor injury at home reported prolonged pain and changes in activity as well as significant school and work loss. In this cohort, burns were more likely than other minor injuries to have these negative short-term outcomes reported and represent an important target for interventions. The impact of these injuries on missed school and disruption of parental work warrants further consideration.


Author(s):  
Wilson Andres Vasconez ◽  
Claudia Aguilar-Velez ◽  
Cristina Matheus ◽  
Hector Chavez ◽  
Roxana Middleton-Garcia ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-358
Author(s):  
Anjali Dhanda, MD ◽  
Edwin A. Salsitz, MD, DFASAM

Objective: Studies dating back to 1964 consistently support the effectiveness of methadone as a maintenance treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), and since 2003, the effectiveness of buprenorphine. Short-term detoxification has not proven to be an effective treatment, as it results in high relapse rates when compared with maintenance treatment with an opioid agonist therapy (OAT). The question about the duration of maintenance treatment for OUD has been debated with recommendations ranging from a minimum of 1 year, 2 years, to indefinitely. Other factors such as misconceptions, regulations, and insurance barriers also have an impact on the duration dilemma of OAT.Design: There were no a priori criteria for article inclusion and this is not a structured literature review. It is a review of articles of convenience from 1964 to 2018.Main outcome measure: This paper aims to address the dilemma of the ideal duration of OAT and to discuss the factors that could affect this decision.Results: Sustained OAT has had significantly better long-term outcomes than short-term detoxification or time limited maintenance. Optimal outcomes are dependent on adequate treatment duration.Conclusions: Addiction is a chronic brain disease and its treatment should be similar to the treatment of other chronic medical and psychiatric diseases. Long-term, sometimes lifetime, continuation of OAT for the treatment of OUD results in optimal outcomes when measuring morbidity and mortality. The accumulated evidence does not support any arbitrary limitation to the duration of OAT. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 192-197
Author(s):  
Gavin Goldsbrough ◽  
Helen Reynolds

Background: Meloxicam is an analgesic agent with anti-inflammatory properties, commonly used in veterinary practices to treat a variety of different long-term medical conditions and is also used as a short-term pain relief following particularly traumatic surgeries. Aims: An observational study was conducted to determine whether meloxicam provides adequate pain management as a post-operative analgesic for canine ovariohysterectomies. Methods: 13 canines were admitted for ovariohysterectomy. Each patient was assessed using the Glasgow composite pain scale (CMPS) prior to surgery during the admission procedure, 15 minutes post-operatively, at discharge and at their post-operative check (POC) 3–5 days after surgery. Results: Data were statistically analysed to determine the overall effectiveness of meloxicam in reducing pain following canine ovariohysterectomy. The results showed a statistically significant difference (Kruskal-Wallis test: H3 =12.98, p=0.005) in pain scores between admission, 15 minutes post operatively, discharge and 3–5 days POC. The greatest decrease in pain score was between 15 minutes post-operatively and POC (Mann-Whitney U test: W=236, n=13, 13, p=0.0014) and between discharge and POC (Mann-Whitney U test: W=227, n=13, 13, p=0.0060). Overall, this demonstrated that there was an improvement in pain suggesting meloxicam is effective between these time frames. In addition, 69.2% (n=9) of patients in the study showed a pain score of 0, indicating an absence of pain, on their final POC. Statistical analysis was also used to determine if there was any difference in pain score between the 3, 4 or 5 day POC pain score. The results show there was no significant difference (Kruskal-Wallis test: H2 =0.090, p=0.638) suggesting that meloxicam's effectiveness was similar across this range of time post surgery. Conclusion: The results from the study indicate that meloxicam is an effective post-operative analgesic for canine patients undergoing an ovariohysterectomy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S709-S709
Author(s):  
Rachael Hemmert ◽  
Gabriella E Dull ◽  
Linda S Edelman

Abstract Opioid-based analgesic therapy is a common treatment for moderate to severe pain among long term care (LTC) residents. It has been estimated that 60% of LTC residents have an opioid prescription. Of these, 14% use opioids as part of a long term pain management strategy. LTC residents are particularly vulnerable to opioid misuse, exhibiting higher rates of adverse drug events. However, addressing pain, polypharmacological needs and resident well-being in the LTC setting is challenging. More research and education regarding opioid use in LTC is needed. The Utah Geriatric Education Consortium conducted interprofessional focus groups with LTC partners to 1) determine educational needs of staff regarding opioid use, and 2) gather qualitative data about the pain management experiences of staff when working with residents and families. Staff identified the following training needs: pain manifestation and assessment; certified nurse assistant education on opioid use; non-pharmacological options for pain management. Review of staff’s perception of the intersection of opioids, family and staff in a LTC setting revealed that 1) family is concerned about opioid use; 2) conversely, staff may not see opioid use as a problem; and 3) non-pharmacological options for pain management are often costly and unavailable to those in LTC. Identifying educational needs of LTC staff will help guide the development of educational materials and provide baseline data for future assessments of the impact of opioid education on long-term care patient outcomes.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Richebé ◽  
Cyril Rivat ◽  
Jean-Paul Laulin ◽  
Pierre Maurette ◽  
Guy Simonnet

Background Although opioids are unsurpassed analgesics, experimental and clinical studies suggest that opioids activate N-methyl-d-aspartate pronociceptive systems leading to pain hypersensitivity and short-term tolerance. Because it is difficult in humans to differentiate pain from hyperalgesia during the postoperative period, the authors performed experimental studies with fentanyl using the rat incisional pain model for evaluating relations between hyperalgesia and short-term tolerance. Because N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists oppose both pain hypersensitivity and tolerance induced by opioids, the authors examined the capability of ketamine for improving exaggerated postoperative pain management. Methods During halothane anesthesia, a hind paw plantar incision was performed in rats receiving four fentanyl subcutaneous injections (100 microg/kg per injection, every 15 min). In some groups, three subcutaneous ketamine injections (10 mg/kg per injection, every 5 h) were performed in saline- or fentanyl-treated rats. One day after surgery, the analgesic effect of morphine (2 mg/kg subcutaneous) was tested. Analgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, tactile allodynia, and pain score were assessed for several days using the paw pressure vocalization test, the von Frey application test, and the postural disequilibrium test. Results Fentanyl induced analgesia but also produced exaggerated postoperative pain as indicated by the enhancement of hyperalgesia, allodynia, and weight-bearing decrease after hind paw plantar incision. Ketamine pretreatment prevented such a fentanyl-induced enhancement of postoperative pain and improved its management by morphine. Conclusions By opposing postoperative pain hypersensitivity and subsequent short-term tolerance induced by perioperative opioid use, ketamine not only improves exaggerated postoperative pain management but also provides better postoperative rehabilitation.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. James Squires ◽  
Christine Bone ◽  
Jocelyn Cameron

Boar taint is caused by the accumulation of androstenone and skatole and other indoles in the fat; this is regulated by the balance between synthesis and degradation of these compounds and can be affected by a number of factors, including environment and management practices, sexual maturity, nutrition, and genetics. Boar taint can be controlled by immunocastration, but this practice has not been accepted in some countries. Genetics offers a long-term solution to the boar taint problem via selective breeding or genome editing. A number of short-term strategies to control boar taint have been proposed, but these can have inconsistent effects and there is too much variability between breeds and individuals to implement a blanket solution for boar taint. Therefore, we propose a precision livestock management approach to developing solutions for controlling taint. This involves determining the differences in metabolic processes and the genetic variations that cause boar taint in specific groups of pigs and using this information to design custom treatments based on the cause of boar taint. Genetic, proteomic or metabolomic profiling can then be used to identify and implement effective solutions for boar taint for specific populations of animals.


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