Durham — Lakeridge Health has developed clear new opioid prescription guidelines and processes for people seeking pain relief in its Emergency Departments.
In 2014, more Ontarians died using opioids than in motor vehicle collisions. Opioids, such as Oxycodone, Dilaudid, Morphine and Tylenol NO. 3 are highly addictive and are known to cause confusion, drowsiness, and even death.
“We know that prescription narcotics can just be as dangerous as street drugs,” said Dr. Larry Nijmeh. “Patients may be initially prescribed opioid medications for legitimate reasons — but some eventually find themselves addicted. Across Ontario, health care providers are hoping to prevent addiction before it happens.”
According to new provincial public health data released yesterday, opioid use and abuse continues to climb across Ontario — including in Durham. To do its part to combat the problem, Lakeridge Health’s Emergency Department leadership created a taskforce to develop a comprehensive, province-leading opioid prescribing and withdrawal and addictions support program.
“Many of our patients come to our Emergency Departments in pain, and our new guidelines ensure we are providing effective pain relief options that strike an appropriate balance between what is safe and what is appropriate,” said Dr. Benj Fuller, Medical Director and Department Chief of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Lakeridge Health.
As part of these new guidelines, the Emergency Department at Lakeridge Health will:
- Strive to prescribe the most appropriate pain medication with the lowest potential for abuse
- Not provide replacement for lost, stolen, destroyed prescriptions of controlled substances
- Offer Emergency Department narcotic-withdrawal programs including Suboxone treatment for people with an opioid use disorder
- Redirect those with chronic non-cancer pain to their primary health care provider for renewal of controlled substances
“We know that — when it comes to the opioid crisis in Ontario — there is more to do across the health care system, at all levels of government and in every community,” said Dr. Tony Stone, Chief of Staff at Lakeridge Health. “I’m proud of the guidelines being spearheaded by our Emergency Department as we work together as a health care system to help fight this growing problem.”
“Across Ontario, LHINs are working with their local hospitals, addiction agencies, primary care providers and other stakeholders to respond to the opioid crisis. These new opioid prescription guidelines at Lakeridge Health will support health service providers in the Central East LHIN as they continue to work together to help people get the safe, high-quality care when they need it the most,” said Deborah Hammons, CEO, Central East LHIN.
Quick Facts:
- Lakeridge Health has Emergency Departments at its Ajax-Pickering, Bowmanville, Oshawa and Port Perry hospitals.
- In 2015/16 more than 212,000 people visited one of Lakeridge Health’s Emergency Departments.
For more information contact:
Lakeridge Health Communications
T. 905.576.8711 extension 4317
communications@lakeridgehealth.on.ca
