Lessons Learned –

A Decade of Experience

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Bon Secours Mercy Health

Emergency Department

Referral Model in Action:

Addressing Dental Access,

Opioid Prevention and Pain

Management

Where We Serve

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M. Frank Beck, DDS, FAAHD, MAGD, FIOCI, DSCDAGeneral Practice Dental Residency

Program Director, Mercy Health

Regional Chief Opioid Officer

NEOMED, Associate Professor, Internal Medicine

OSU, Adjunct Assistant Professor,

Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Health

The University of Pittsburgh, Adjunct Professor,

Dept. of Dental Public Health, College of Dental Medicine

Nickola Ceglia LISW-S, ACSW

Instructor/SBIRT Trainer, Mercy Health

Former Executive Director of Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board

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• Understand the development, operational approach

and rationale for implementing the Definitive Care

Concept

• Recognize evidence-based approaches to pain

management including pre-operative, peri-operative

and post-operative approaches

• Recognize the benefits of creating tools to improve

identification of at-risk patients, encourage early

treatment referrals, establish acute withdrawal

protocols and provide more efficient access to available

PDMP databases

Training Objectives

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INTRODUCTION

Limited access to dental care results in increased utilization of hospital Emergency Departments (ED) for dental services

Treatment of patients requiring dental care in the ED generally consists of writing two prescriptions and the recommendation that the patient follow up with a dentist.

SIGNIFICANCE

Patients seeking dental care in EDs receive only symptomatic relief and re-enter the system in the future presenting with more fulminant pathology.

These follow up visits require the utilization of even more resources and in some instances hospital admissions.

Top 20 Diagnoses for Level I and Level II ED Visits

2013 - 2014

Top 20 Diagnoses for Level I and Level II ED Visits in terms of Total Charge

2013 - 2014

PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS

2013 - 2014

PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS

2013 - 2014

DISCUSSION

NEDC accounted for 3 of the TOP 20 diagnoses for Level I

& II ED visits

Utilization of the ED for dental problems was higher for

uninsured (47.11%) and Medicaid (25.18%) patients.

DEFINITIVE DENTAL CARE MODEL

2008 developed and implemented

NEDC 7:00am – 4:00pm

NEDC 4:00pm – 7:00am

DEFINITIVE DENTAL CARE OUTCOMES

Immediate and definitive relief of pain elimination of infection

Interrupts progression of pathology

Eliminates exacerbation of other systemic morbidities

Eliminates unnecessary use of narcotics

Time of Day Distribution for NEDC in ED

2013

2007 – 2008 ED date demonstrating higher utilization in the evening and night time hours

Data suggests the possibility that establishing definitive Dental Care linkages with ED may result in improvements to the present delivery model

2008

2008

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SUMMARY

NEDC accounted for THE #1 Level I & II ED visits in 2008 and 2013-2014

NEDC accounted for 3 of the TOP 20 Level I & II visits

Utilization of the ED for dental problems is higher for uninsured and Medicaid patients

Attempt to provide definitive care for the patient in contrast to traditionally rendered symptomatic care

This significantly decreases the number of unnecessary dental visits to our Emergency Dept.

Designated block scheduling is utilized

Patient compliance is ensured by only providing a limited number of pain pills sufficient until the subsequent DCC appointment

• Initiationo Peripheral pain receptor – nociceptor

▪ NSAIAs

• Transmissiono Nerve fibers and spinal cord

▪ Local anesthesia

• Integrationo CNS/ Brain – pain perception and pain reaction

▪ Opioids

• Modulationo Pain inhibitory pathways in brain and spinal cord

▪ TCA’s

Pain Management Strategies

Effectiveness of Postoperative

Analgesics

NNT

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NNT

The medication with the lowest NNT will be

the most efficacious

Oral pain medications

NNT of 1.5 = excellent

NNT of 2.0 = good

NNT of 2.5 = fair

NNT Comparison of Orally

Administered Analgesics

Analgesic NNT

Ibuprofen 400 mg/APAP 1000 mg 1.5

Ibuprofen 200 mg/APAP 500 mg 1.6

Ketoprofen 100 mg 1.6

Ibuprofen 600 mg/800 mg 1.7

Analgesic NNT

Ketorolac 1.8

Oxycodone 5 mg/ APAP 500 mg* 2.2

Aspirin 1200 mg 2.4

Ibuprofen 400 mg 2.5

Analgesic NNT

Oxycodone 10 mg/APAP 650 mg 2.7

(2 Percocet)

Oxycodone 10 mg/1000 mg* 2.7

Naproxen 40 mg/440 mg 2.7 (2.3)

Naproxen 500 mg/550 mg 2.7

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SourcesThe Oxford Pain Group League table for

analgesic efficacy

Cochrane Database of Systematic

Reviews

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A new study compared opioids and over-the-counter painkillers in ERs. Opioids didn’t do so well.

Updated by German Lopez@germanrlopez german.lopez@vox.com Nov 9, 2017, 9:30am EST

Patients Unable to Take NSAID’s• 5 mg oxycodone + 500 mg APAP (OTC)

• In 2013 the FDA mandated pharmaceutical companies to limit the APAP dose in combinations to 325 mg or less

• According to NNT best combination• 5 mg oxycodone + 500 mg APAP (NNT = 2.2)

• Combination no longer commercially available

Opioids and acute painAll studies on opioids used for acute pain

have shown that the longer they are

used, the worse the outcomes!

The CDC recommends 3 days or less for

acute pain.

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• Opioids are not very effective pain

medications

• Opioids do lead to addiction

• We must avoid the first exposure (age 18)

• Use opioids for their behavioral effects

(calming) when absolutely necessary and

for only 1-3 days

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PLATFORM-BASED Pain Management Strategies

Preoperative

Perioperative

Postoperative

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PRE-OPERATIVE

Start an NSAID 24 hours prior to procedure

600 mg ibuprofen q.i.d.

400 mg celecoxib

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PRE-OPERATIVEConsider prescribing a corticosteroid for your patient• If pain and/or swelling develop or persist post-op, it is reasonable to

consider prescribing a corticosteroid (assuming swelling is not due to infection)

• Edema from surgery usually peaks at 48-72 hours

• Note that corticosteroids can be prescribed preemptively when severe pain and significant swelling are anticipated post-operatively

• Rx Dexamethasone 4 mg, 4 tabs

• Rx take two tabs stat in the AM, then one tab next day, and a final tab on the 3rd day

• This dose can be halved for younger or older patients

• If preferred, it is not necessary to take a loading dose of the steroid

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PERIOPERATIVE• Use bupivacaine during or at the end of

procedure

• Must be given as a block

• Exparel

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Set Expectations

“Some discomfort is normal… in fact, you can use it as a

barometer of your post-op healing progress.”

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Set Norms

“More than half the patients

who have this procedure

take less than 6 pills.”

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NNTs“We know, without question, the most effective ways to manage your post-op course, and more importantly, we have

a rank order of the effectiveness of pain medications known as NNTs.”

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Opioids

“Occasionally opioids are used to alter perception and reaction to your

discomfort…unfortunately, they are not therapeutic and must be used along with the non-opioids to achieve adequate pain relief.”

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Adverse Affects“We are careful about opioids because

they have been shown to be ineffective in managing post-op pain…are highly

addictive, will cause you harm and could even result in overdose if

used incorrectly or abused.”

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Preoperative/Perioperative Pain Management

“All studies show that post-op pain is best managed preoperatively and

perioperatively…fortunately, we began your pain management course preoperatively and just gave you a perioperative long-acting local

anesthetic to prolong your comfort leveland minimize your post-op pain.”

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What is SBIRT? – Acronym for: Screening: quick validated screen to

determine severity of substance use.

Brief Intervention: collaborative conversation that increases patient motivation for change

Referral to Treatment: directly links patients with appropriate services.

evidence based

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SBIRT as a vital sign Routine screening for other potential medical

problems (e.g. cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure)

Why not for alcohol and drug use?

Adding a validated screening tool to medical history/annual review

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Primary Goal of SBIRT

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To identify those who are at moderate or high risk for psychosocial or health care problems related to their substance use choices.

To identify those who have a substance use disorder and need higher levels of care

Two Levels of Screening

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Pre-screen: For Everyone/Universal

One or two questions to help filter individuals

that will be most likely to “screen positive” on

a full screen.

“How many times in the past year have

you had…”

…5 or more drinks in a day (men)

…4 or more drinks in a day

(women)

“How many times in the past year have

you used a recreational drug or

prescription medication for nonmedical

reasons?”

Time saving measure when time is limited.

A “positive” pre-screen indicates the need to

administer the full screening tool.

Full Screen: After Positive Pre-Screen

The full screening tool provides information about the patient’s level of substance use risk and the appropriate next steps:

Brief Intervention or

Referral to Treatment

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Score Zone Action

0 - 7 I – Low Risk Positive reinforcement

8 - 15 II - Risky Brief intervention

16 - 19 III - Harmful

Brief intervention or

referral to specialized

treatment

20+ IV - SevereReferral to specialized

treatment

AUDIT(10) Interpretation

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DAST(10) InterpretationScore Zone Action0 - 2, plus no daily use of

any substance, no weekly

use of opioids, cocaine or

meth; no injection drug

use in the past 3 months;

not currently in substance

abuse treatment

I – Low RiskBrief Education: monitor

and reassess at next visit

3 - 5 II - Risky Brief Intervention

6 – 8 II - Harmful

Brief intervention or

referral to specialized

treatment

9+ IV - SevereReferral to specialized

treatment

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Dependent Use Referral to Treatment

Harmful Use Brief Intervention/possible

Referral to Treatment

At-Risk Use Brief Intervention

Low Risk No intervention

Screening Informs the SBIRT Process

What Are Brief Interventions

Brief motivational

and awareness-raising interventions

given to at-risk or harmful

substance users.

Goal is to help patients decide to

lower their risk for alcohol-related

problems.

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Brief Intervention Steps

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1. Raise the Subject

2. Provide Feedback

3. Enhance Motivation

4. Negotiate a Plan

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A Strong Referral to Appropriate

Treatment Provider is Key

When your patient is ready:

• Know your local resources

• Make a plan with the patient

• You should actively participate in the referral process

• Decide how you will communicate with the provider

• Confirm your follow up plan with the patient

• Decide on ongoing follow up support strategies that you

will use

• Direct warm handoff

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How would I know (and what should I do) when a patient has a drug problem?

The ADA encourages dentists to seek continuing education in Screening, Brief

Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for patients who may be at risk

for substance abuse and/or be prone to addiction.

SBIRT is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent

problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. It is

comprised of three basic components.

Screening – Specialized techniques for identifying risky substance use

behaviors.

Brief Intervention – Specialized techniques for motivating at-risk

individuals to change their behavior.

Referral to Treatment – Specialized techniques for referring these

patients for appropriate diagnosis and treatment (e.g., support line,

addiction counselor, treatment facility, etc.)

SBIRT is based on an Institute of Medicine recommendation* that called for

community-based screening for health risk behaviors.

ADA Practical Guide to Substance Use Disorders and Safe PrescribingSAMHSA.gov/sbirt

Humility of Mary Health Partners

Emergency Physicians Monthly

You’re Suing Me for What?

On May 13, 2015, the Supreme Court of West Virginia ruled that patients who become addicted to prescription medications can

sue doctors and pharmacies for

addiction-related damages. This ruling may

have significant implications for prescribers of

medications with the potential for addiction,

including emergency physicians.

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Resources

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www.samhsa.gov/sbirt

www.motivationalinterviewing.org

https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/sites/default/files/S

potlight-on-Opioids_09192018.pdf

https://youtu.be/KlaCo3zw1PM (Clinic Workflow)

https://youtu.be/MaxHuf17A44 (Brief Intervention “Jill”)

https://youtu.be/b-ilxvHZJDc (Brief Intervention “Steve”)