The convergence of the opioid epidemic and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created new healthcare challenges. Health systems, from a system- and individual clinician-level, are more important than ever in the pursuit of addressing the epidemic within the pandemic.

In this session, Dr Gudin discusses with Dr Pat Alagia on the Quest Dialogues podcast:

• Recently-published data by Quest that demonstrates decreased drug testing overall, with increased positivity for high-risk drugs and dangerous drug combinations 
• Tools and practices for clinicians to assess and stratify patients for potential prescription drug abuse
• System-level strategies that employ an integrated care delivery approach, including leveraging community and diagnostics partnerships, to support impacted patient populations

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About Dr Pat Alagia

As an entrepreneurial, innovative, and forward-thinking physician executive,  Dr Alagia has developed extensive experience and deep expertise throughout the healthcare ecosystem through his many years in the health system C-Suite and as a Senior Executive in major medical companies.  He has led large complex academically based regional healthcare systems,  for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare organizations, venture capital-backed healthcare companies, and small and large clinical practices.

Today as the Chief Clinical Officer for Hospitals and Health Systems and as a Senior Medical Director for core and advanced at Quest Diagnostics, Dr Alagia and his clinical, scientific, academic, and commercial colleagues focus on a variety of topics involving diagnostic testing and patient care across the care continuum. He and his team are passionately committed to patient care, clinical and scientific excellence, and building interdisciplinary collegial relationships.