 The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has revised three infographics tailored to pharmacies and their clients. The infographics have updated information regarding naloxone pricing at pharmacies, pharmacies that dispense naloxone and addiction treatment information. The three infographics can be accessed here, here and here.
More than 750 communities across the country are establishing pre-arrest diversion (also referred to as deflection) programs to counter the drug crisis. This intervention involves connecting three crucial stakeholders: law enforcement/first responders, treatment professionals (including mental health, housing, drug treatment and other providers) and community partners. The goal of deflection is to connect people with substance use disorders and mental illness to treatment, support networks and other needed services. Deflection helps alleviate the stress on law enforcement services when faced with individuals who need to be directed to social services instead of experiencing the effects of an institutional setting.
 Physicians and other providers across Indiana are making strides in the current opioid epidemic, according to the American Medical Association’s 2019 Opioid Progress Report. Data used for the report show Indiana’s INSPECT prescription drug monitoring program received more than 3 million queries in 2018, an increase of 146% compared to 2016. INSPECT also shows an increase in utilization by physicians, up almost 25% from 2017 to 2018. Opioid prescriptions have also declined about 13% during the same period in Indiana. The full report can be accessed here.
A new study found that preoperative opioid prescription use is associated with variables such as longer length of stay and higher hospital readmission rates. Currently, 40 percent of patients who need knee, hip and shoulder replacements are prescribed opioids prior to surgery, according to the authors of the study. Researchers suggest tapering opioid prescriptions prior to surgery to prevent worse health outcomes. Researchers also hope that this study helps providers and hospitals understand how certain risk factors lead to a higher costs. The entire study can be accessed here.
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