This month we look at the origins of the current opioid epidemic. While we may not have created the problem in the ED, we can likely play an important role in taking care of these high risk patients.

For UAB residents, please complete the following survey before listening:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6PMQ5JV

Sources:

Gratton M. The ER Doctor's Role in Combating the Opioid Epidemic. Mo Med. 2017;114(3):138–139.

https://epmonthly.com/article/buprenorphine-induction-in-the-ed-the-missing-link-in-a-broken-system/

Larochelle M, Bernson D, Land T, et al. Medication for opioid use disorder after nonfatal opioid overdose and association with mortality: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(3):137-45. doi: 10.7326/M17-3107.

Weiner S, Baker O, Bernson D, et al. One-year mortality of opioid overdose victims who received naloxone by emergency medical services. Ann Emerg Med. 2017;70:S158.

D’Onofrio G, Chawarski MC, O’Connor PG, Pantalon MV, Busch SH, Owens PH, Hawk K, Bernstein SL, Fiellin DA. Emergency Department-Initiated Buprenorphine for Opioid Dependence with Continuation in Primary Care: Outcomes During and After Intervention. J Gen Intern Med. 2017; 32(6):660-666. PMID: 28194688.