Medical organizations have recommended that Missouri hospital physicians decrease their opioid prescriptions, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
These organizations include the Missouri Dental Association, Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri State Medical Association, Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons and the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, all of which contributed new guidelines.
"I think three years ago physicians understood at that time we played a role in all this," said Evan Schwarz, president of the state’s college of emergency physicians, referencing the high number of opioid addicts and opioid-related deaths. "It’s our responsibility to limit exposure when we can."
Initial opioid prescription guidelines, lasted updated in 2015 and limited to emergency departments, now include all hospital personnel able to prescribe the drugs.
Dave Dillon, spokesperson for the Missouri Hospital Association, indicated the importance of extending guidelines to hospitals since emergency room patients often are moved to inpatient hospital rooms once they are treated.
"These guidelines aren’t meant to advocate for illegal analgesia or for undertreating pain," Mr. Schwarz told St. Louis Public Radio."It’s to make sure we’re prescribing responsibly, but providing for physician judgment to do what they think is best for the patient."
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