The Professional Education Workgroup (PEW) of the Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team (GCOAT) developed a plan to help with the use of opioids/pain medication and other controlled substances in the Emergency Department and hospital. The Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team (GCOAT) was started in the fall of 2011 to look at the misuse, abuse, and overdose from prescription opioids.
Who has officially endorsed the Plan?
Robinson Memorial Hospital is proud to support this plan, as well as the Ohio American College of Emergency Physicians, Ohio Association of Health Plans, Ohio Association of Physician Assistants, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Ohio Hospital Association, Ohio Osteopathic Association, Ohio Pharmacists Association, Ohio State Medical Association, and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and facilitated by the Ohio Departments of Health and Aging.
Why is Robinson publicly endorsing this plan now?
From 1999 to 2010, drug overdose deaths increased 372 percent in Ohio from 327 to 1,544, the highest number on record. This is the same as 4 Ohioans dying each day or one Ohioan dying each 6 hours. Unplanned drug overdose continues to be the leading cause of injury related death in Ohio, ahead of car accidents, suicides and falls.
Prescription drugs are involved in most of the unplanned drug overdoses and have caused the rise in deaths. Prescription opioids are related with more deadly overdoses than any other prescription or illegal drug including cocaine and heroin combined. In Ohio in 2010, 45 percent of the unplanned overdose deaths involved prescription opioids, compared to 39 percent in 2009.
Emergency physicians will NOT routinely:
a. Fill prescriptions for opioids/controlled substances that were lost, destroyed or stolen.
b. Fill doses of Suboxone, Subutex or Methadone for patients in a treatment program.
c. Give long-acting or controlled-release opioids such as OxyContin®, fentanyl patches or methadone.
If my pain does not get better after my visit to the Emergency Department, what should I do?
Most health issues seen in the emergency department should clear up or improve within a few days. Continued pain should be re-checked by your physician or specialist. If you need a doctor and/or a pain management specialist, a hospital staff member can give you a physician directory or you can
Find a Doctor on our website for the most up-to-date physician list.
Where can I find more information about this plan?
The Ohio Department of Health’s web site:
www.healthyohioprogram.org/ed/guidelines
For more information on prescription drug overdose in Ohio, visit the ODH Drug Overdose web page:
www.healthyohioprogram.org/vipp/drug/dpoison
How do I get help for substance abuse or addiction?
For a confidential referral to treatment, please call toll-free 1-800-788-7254 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.