New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Cape Fear Hospital, both in North Carolina, have stopped prescribing or refilling opioids for chronic pain, sedatives or stimulants in the emergency room and instead are referring patients to primary care physicians, according to a WECT report.
The new policy at New Hanover Regional Medical Center went into effect on Nov. 1. Patients who arrive at the ER asking for refills of opioids or anxiety and depression medication will be referred to primary care physicians. The hospital will assist patients in connecting with a primary care physician if they do not already have one, according to NHRM. If the patient arrives in the ER with chronic pain, they will be treated with non-opioid pain medication.
Hospital officials said this is part of a nationwide trend and hope it will curb overdoses as well as ensure patients have a primary care physician who can provide ongoing medical support. In the case of an "isolated, non-recurring, non-frequent acute painful or psychiatric condition," ER physicians can prescribe a limited amount of medication.
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The new policy at New Hanover Regional Medical Center went into effect on Nov. 1. Patients who arrive at the ER asking for refills of opioids or anxiety and depression medication will be referred to primary care physicians. The hospital will assist patients in connecting with a primary care physician if they do not already have one, according to NHRM. If the patient arrives in the ER with chronic pain, they will be treated with non-opioid pain medication.
Hospital officials said this is part of a nationwide trend and hope it will curb overdoses as well as ensure patients have a primary care physician who can provide ongoing medical support. In the case of an "isolated, non-recurring, non-frequent acute painful or psychiatric condition," ER physicians can prescribe a limited amount of medication.
Related Articles about Prescription Drugs:
Opioid Pain Reliever Overdose Kills More than Heroin and Cocaine Combined
Dr. Scott Glaser: The Need for Interconnected Prescription Monitoring Programs
Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Abuse Cost U.S. More Than $323 Billion a Year