Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society president Patrick Smith, MD, played a vital role in establishing Pennsylvania's new opioid guidelines.
POS President Patrick Smith joined POS' first vice president Angela Rowe, DO, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Physician General Rachel Levine, State Senator Jay Costa and former Pittsburgh Steelers player Franco Harris in announcing the Department of Health's new Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Opioid Prescribing Guidelines.
The guidelines were written by seven POS members who sought to help orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians treat acute pain effectively and safely. The Department of Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs have created the Safe and Effective Prescribing Practices Task Force during Governor Wolf's time in office. The task force develops guidelines for various medical specialties to promote safe and effective use of opioids in treating pain.
Dr. Smith said, "It is our responsibility, orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians, to prescribe these medications to provide adequate pain relief, while at the same time, to be aware of the potential long-term, adverse effects."
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