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43 ORTHOPEDICS What % of Orthopedic Surgery Patients Report Unused Opioids? 5 Points By Mary Rechtoris O pioid use is a pervasive problem and many Americans abuse and misuse these prescription medica- tions daily. Medscape published a study's findings analyzing the number of patients reporting they had unused opioids. Researchers analyzed six studies, encom- passing 810 patients and seven types of surgical procedures. Here's what you should note: 1. General surgery patients had the highest percentage of unused opioids at 92 percent. 2. Ninety-one percent of dental surgery patients and 90 percent of Cesarean delivery patients had unused opioids, followed by dermatological surgery patients at 89 percent. 3. Seventy-seven percent of orthopedic sur- gery patients reported unused opioids. 4. Overall, surgical patients did not use between 42 percent and 71 percent of opioid tablets. 5. Between 16 percent and 19 percent of surgical patients cited opioid-induced averse effects as why they ceased using opioids. Based on these findings, researches conclud- ed, "Increased efforts are needed to develop and disseminate best practices to reduce the oversupply of opioids aer surgery, especially given how commonly opioid an- algesics prescribed by clinicians are diverted for non-medical use and may contribute to opioid-associated injuries and deaths." n Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Now Under Baylor Scott & White Health Umbrella: 5 Things to Know About the Majority Sale By Megan Wood D allas-based Baylor Scott & White Holdings and Tyler-based Texas Spine & Joint Hospital entered into a partnership, according to Tyler Morning Telegraph. Here are five things to know: 1. On Aug. 1, Baylor Scott & White acquired a majority stake in Texas Spine & Joint Hospital. 2. United Surgical Partners International, a partner of Baylor Scott & White, is also a player in the partnership and will serve in a management role. 3. The Texas Spine & Joint Hospital will now operate within the Baylor Scott & White system, but will be partially physician-owned. 4. Baylor Scott & White will rebrand the hospital, but has not disclosed specifics. 5. Established in 2002, Texas Spine & Joint Hospital holds 20 beds. A hospital spokesperson said they will expand into clinics and outpatient surgery cen- ters under the partnership. n The Steadman Clinic Names Steve Wyrsch Vice President of Operations — 4 Insights By Eric Oliver Vail, Colo.-based The Steadman Clinic appointed Steve Wyrsch its vice presi- dent of operations. Here's what you should know: 1. Mr. Wyrsch brings more than 14 years of healthcare leadership to the posi- tion. 2. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy with 20 years of service. In the Navy, Mr. Wyrsch served on the staff of the Navy Surgeon General and the Assistant Secretary of Defense. He also served on the personal staff of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., in 2001. 3. Mr. Wyrsch most recently was Dover, N.H.-based Wentworth-Douglass Hos- pital's assistant vice president of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and integra- tive services. 4. Mr. Wyrsch said in a release, "It is a true honor to have been selected to serve in this position in Vail. I was very familiar with Steadman because of the reputation and the strong work that is done here, as most of the organiza- tions in which I have worked since retiring had associations with or employed orthopaedic practices." n