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Prescribers Care Resources

RESOURCES FROM MAY 2024 PRESCRIBERS CARE DISCUSSIONS:

  • Flow chart: Troubleshooting Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Ventura County – view and download (PDF)
  • Presentation: Facing Fentanyl Together – view and download (PDF)
  • Guided Notes – view and download (PDF)

Resources from May 9, 2023 Prescribers Care Discussion:

  • Guided Notes – view and download (PDF)
  • The Opioid Epidemic: A Forensic Pathology Perspective – view and download (PDF)
  • Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) – view and download (PDF)

Self-Guided Resources

  • cabridge.org/tools
  • UCSF Warmline: 855-300-3595; Consultation available M-F, 9 am – 8 pm EST
  • SAMHSA Bup Quick Start Guide – view and download (PDF)

In-House Resources

  • Substance Use Treatment Access Line: 1-866-998-2243
  • MAT Clinic (requires DMC-ODS referral)
  • Irving Rosenstein, PA-C
  • Vora Volf, PharmD

Table of Contents

Prescribers Care Discussion Series Resources

  1. Session 1: What Prescribers Need to Know About Illicit Fentanyl
  2. Session 2: Evidence-based Safe Prescribing
  3. Session 3: Deprescribing is Good Prescribing
  4. Session 4: Person-Centered Strategies to Reduce Opioid Overdose

Additional Resources

  1. Patient Communications
  2. Cures 2.0 Prescription Monitoring
  3. Prescribing Best Practices
  4. Naloxone Mandate
  5. Treatment

Dental Prescribing Resources

‍

What Prescribers Need to know about Illicit Fentanyl

 

  • ‍Medical Examiner 2021 Fatal Overdose Report – view and download (PDF)‍
  • Common Street Drugs Terms – view and download (PDF)

Legislation >

AB2747

Prohibits prescribing more than a 5-day supply of opioid medication to a minor unless the prescription is for any of the following:​

  • Management of pain associated with cancer​
  • Management of chronic pain not associated with cancer​
  • Use in palliative or hospice care​
  • Treatment of a substance abuse​

Requires obtaining written consent from a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult in order to prescribe opioids to a minor.​

Specifies that a violation of these provisions is considered unprofessional conduct and is subject to disciplinary action by the board that regulates the prescriber’s license.​

 

AB 1751: CURES 2.0 and interstate prescription data sharing​

Linked CURES 2.0, California’s prescription drug monitoring program, with drug monitoring databases in other states while ensuring that patient privacy remains adequately protected. The bill requires that any interstate access meets data security standards and complies with California law.

 

AB 2086

Another CURES-related bill, AB2086 amended the law to allow prescribers of controlled substances to request from the Department of Justice a list of patients for whom he or she is named as a prescriber.

 

AB 2760: Naloxone Rx​

When prescribing opioids, the prescriber shall offer a prescription of naloxone to a patient if:​

  • The prescription daily dose is > to 90 morphine milligram equivalents​
  • An opioid is prescribed with a benzodiazepine​
  • The patient has an increased risk for overdose​

 

Section 741(a)(1)(C) offers some examples of scenarios that would indicate an increased risk of overdose, including:​

  • a patient with a history of overdose.
  • a patient with a history of substance use disorder, or ​
  • a patient at risk for returning to a high dose of opioid medication to which the patient is no longer tolerant

 

HSC Section 11165.4: CURES Mandatory Consultation

As of October 2, 2018:​

  1. A physician must check CURES and run a Patient Activity Report (PAR) the first time a Schedule II-IV controlled substance is prescribed, ordered, or administered
  2. The PAR must be run within 24-hours, or the previous business day.
  3. A physician must check CURES at least every 6 months if use of the controlled substance continues.​

  

 

Evidence-Based Safe Prescribing

  • ‍Guidelines for SAFE Opioid RX (PDF)
  • ‍Opioid Risk Tool: mdcalc.com‍
  • ‍DSM-5 OUD – Diagnosis tool: asam.org (PDF)
  • ‍Revised Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP-R): uptodate.com

 

‍

Deprescribing is Good Prescribing

  • ‍PEG Scale (Assess Response to Opioid Treatment): med.umich.edu (PDF)
  • ‍MEQ Opioid Conversion Calculator: oregonpainguidance.org‍
  • ‍Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator: mdcalc.com

 

‍

Person-Centered Strategies to Reduce Opioid Overdose

  • ‍Mother & Baby Substance Exposure Toolkit: nastoolkit.org‍
  • ‍American Society of Addiction Medicine, National Practice Guideline 2020 Focused Update: asam.org‍
  • ‍Perinatal Substance Use Services: vchca.org‍
  • ‍HIV Prep – Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States – 2021 Update: cdc.gov (PDF)
  • ‍CDC – HIV Prevention Information Page: cdc.gov‍
  • ‍Never Use Alone National Hotline
    neverusealone.com
    800-484-3731‍
  • ‍Hepatitis C Medication List: hepatitis.uw.edu

  

‍

Evidence-Based Safe Prescribing

  • ‍Guidelines for Safe Opioid Rx – view and download (PDF)
  • ‍Opioid Risk Tool: mdcalc.com‍
  • ‍DSM-5 OUD – Diagnosis tool: asam.org (PDF)
  • ‍Revised Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP-R): uptodate.com

  

‍

Deprescribing is Good Prescribing

  • ‍PEG Scale (Assess Response to Opioid Treatment): med.umich.edu (PDF)
  • ‍MEQ Opioid Conversion Calculator: oregonpainguidance.org‍
  • ‍Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator: mdcalc.com

 

‍

Person-Centered Strategies to Reduce Opioid Overdose

  • ‍Mother & Baby Substance Exposure Toolkit: nastoolkit.org‍
  • ‍American Society of Addiction Medicine, National Practice Guideline 2020 Focused Update: asam.org‍
  • ‍Perinatal Substance Use Services: vchca.org‍
  • ‍HIV Prep – Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV Infection in the United States – 2021 Update: cdc.gov (PDF)
  • ‍CDC – HIV Prevention Information Page: cdc.gov‍
  • ‍Never Use Alone National Hotline
    neverusealone.com
    800-484-3731‍
  • ‍Hepatitis C Medication List: hepatitis.uw.edu

Related Links

  • Prescribers Care Discussion Series
  • Prescribers Care Mailing List
  • CURES 2.0
Guidelines for Safe Opioid Rx →
Common Street Drug Terms →

additional Resources

PATIENT COMMUNICATIONS

Handout – Prescription Opioids: What You Need to Know, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Ventura County versions

  • English
  • Spanish

Handout – Pregnancy and Opioid Pain Medications, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • English
  • Spanish
    ‍

‍Website –  Opioid Overdose, Information for Patients, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‍

  • ‍English‍
  • Spanish‍

‍

Decals – We Check Because We Care, Ventura County Health Care Agency
Patients, family members and prescribers all benefit from messaging starting at the clinic door. Contact us for more information about materials.
‍

What You Can Do to Prevent Opioid Overdose
See the "Talking to Your Doctor" video

‍

 

CURES 2.0 PRESCRIPTION MONITORING

The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) contains information about whether other clinicians have prescribed controlled substances to your patient. This type of information can help prescribers make informed decisions and avoid duplicate or additive types of medications from being provided to patients. The mandate to consult CURES prior to prescribing, ordering, administering, or furnishing a Schedule II-IV controlled substance became effective on October 2, 2018.

  • Learn more about CURES 2.0
  • PDF: What You Need to Know about Monitoring your Prescriptions

‍

‍

PRESCRIBING BEST PRACTICES

The following evidence-based interventions also lower overdose death rates:

  • Avoid co-prescribing an opioid and a benzodiazepine. Nationally the number of opioid deaths involving benzodiazepine is increasing annually.
  • Minimize opioid prescribing for acute pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), clinicians should avoid opioids, and when necessary, start with the lowest effective dose of immediate-release opioids. Three days or less will often be sufficient. Opioids should not be considered first-line or routine therapy for chronic pain.
  • Taper opioids to safer doses. The CDC recommends that for patients already on long-term high dose opioid therapy, taper to a dose that is lower than 50 milligrams of morphine equivalent. Slow opioid tapers as well as pauses in the taper may be needed for long-term users. ‍
  • Avoid “the 90-day cliff.” The CDC recommends opioids should be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks

RESOURCES:

  • PDF – Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Pocket Guide – Tapering Opioids for Chronic Pain, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Website – CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline Resources‍
  • Website – HHS.Gov/Opioids‍

‍

‍

NALOXONE MANDATE

The CDC recommends prescribing naloxone to patients on higher than 50 milligrams of morphine equivalents daily. The mandate to offer a prescription for naloxone to a patient at high risk of overdose became effective January 1, 2019.

  • Learn more about the California naloxone mandate‍
  • ‍Learn more about  how to get Naloxone
  • Ventura County Overdose Prevention Program

‍

‍

TREATMENT

  • VCBH Substance Use Treatment Access Line: 1-844-385-9200
Prescription Opioids: What You Need to Know →
CDC Guidelines: Tapering Opioids for Chronic Pain →

Dental prescribing Resources

Teens who are prescribed opioids after their wisdom teeth are removed have a 33% higher risk of opioid misuse later in life.
"Dentists play a pivotal role and have a professional responsibility to reduce the misuse and abuse of opioids..."
– California Dental Association
"One in 16 prescribed opioids after a surgical procedure will become a long-term user."
– International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
5 days of opioid use can lead to dependence.

‍

Resources

Statement on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Dental Pain, American Dental Association

Dental Pain May Lead to First Encounter with Opioids, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CURES and Opioid Pain Management, California Dental Association

Patient Handout: Prescription Opioids: What You Need to Know, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Ventura County versions

  • Patient Handout – English
  • Patient Handout – Spanish

Form: Consent to Prescribe Opioid to a Minor, California Dental Association

  • Consent Form – English
  • Consent Form – Spanish

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Working together, we are making a measurable difference locally: to individuals, to families, and to our community.

Related Links

  • Prescribers Care Discussion Series
  • Prescribers Care Mailing List
  • CURES 2.0
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