Physicians at Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, Fla., are taking steps to reduce opioid prescriptions following new legislation, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
Here are five takeaways.
1. The legislation set to go in effect July 1 is designed to reduce the number of opioids patients receive after visiting a physician. The new ruling comes after a study found 1 in 5 patients prescribed a 10-day supply of opioids will still be using them a year later.
2. Now Florida physicians will be restricted to prescribing three days' worth of opioids for acute pain. However, when deemed necessary physicians can make seven-day prescriptions.
3. While limiting the number of opioids for acute pain, the new legislation does not put a cap on the number of opioids prescribed for traumatic injuries, chronic pain, cancer and terminal illness.
4. Huaiyu Tan, MD, of the Andrews Institute, is among the physicians making strides to reduce opioid prescriptions. A physical medicine specialist, Dr. Tan has been an advocate for the reduction of opioid use.
5. Dr. Tan talks to patients about realistic expectations and the steps to managing associated pain. Some of the alternates he suggests include muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories in addition to physician therapy.