Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/883254
23 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 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 medi- cations 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 sur- gical 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 pa- tients and 90 percent of Cesarean delivery patients had unused opioids, followed by dermatological surgery patients at 89 per- cent. 3. Seventy-seven percent of orthopedic sur- gery patients reported unused opioids. 4. Overall, surgical patients did not use be- tween 42 percent and 71 percent of opioid tablets. 5. Between 16 percent and 19 percent of sur- gical patients cited opioid-induced averse ef- fects 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, espe- cially given how commonly opioid analge- sics prescribed by clinicians are diverted for non-medical use and may contribute to opi- oid-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 centers 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 Sec- retary of Defense. He also served on the personal staff of Sen. Joseph Lieber- man, 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 organizations in which I have worked since retiring had associations with or employed ortho- paedic practices." n