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At the same time, the hysterics over opiates mean that they can be under-employed in palliative care, where addiction is much less of a concern. (Redirection of drugs remains a significant issue there, though).
National crisis: fentanyl & other super-opiate overdoses
- Thread starter Chispa
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medicineman
Army.ca Legend
- Reaction score
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I had a patient freak out a couple weeks ago because I was going to give them a small dose of fentanyl when I was reducing a fracture they had...thank you MSM :
, now something that's effective and safe under controlled circumstances are hard to use because these asshats have scared the public. Had the same problem with propofol and ketamine as well, courtesy of the same idiots doing "public service announcements".
Much like Mike alluded to, I take issue with people thinking that life should be anaesthetic - pain is a normal function of things, it tells you there is a problem or changes in it tell you things are getting better. Some of these drugs have other issues too - as part of them leaving the system, many cause a pain flare up that lasts about 30 minutes (if they're quick onset/offset, Demerol for instance) that makes people freak out and take more. Our ER triage systems also need to be revamped somewhat - pain is not a vital sign, contrary to what many people want to tell you, since vital signs are OBJECTIVE signs of how your body is doing physiologically, whereas pain is completely SUBJECTIVE (see this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rWs_tncktU). When a triage acuity number is placed based solely on that modifier (person with completely normal vital signs but 10/10 pain) and therefore how that symptom is managed, you start a vicious cycle of problems and expectations...which sometimes leads to yelling, screaming, gnashing of teeth and sometimes people being not so politely removed from the ED. My first two complaints against me when I started in civilian medicine were from people insisting they needed narcotics for their issues (well, one of them was the Mommy of the adult child demanding I give them narcotics - RED FLAG).
Small point - meth is a stimulant, whereas opiates are narcotics...they have opposite effects.
:2c:
MM
, now something that's effective and safe under controlled circumstances are hard to use because these asshats have scared the public. Had the same problem with propofol and ketamine as well, courtesy of the same idiots doing "public service announcements".Much like Mike alluded to, I take issue with people thinking that life should be anaesthetic - pain is a normal function of things, it tells you there is a problem or changes in it tell you things are getting better. Some of these drugs have other issues too - as part of them leaving the system, many cause a pain flare up that lasts about 30 minutes (if they're quick onset/offset, Demerol for instance) that makes people freak out and take more. Our ER triage systems also need to be revamped somewhat - pain is not a vital sign, contrary to what many people want to tell you, since vital signs are OBJECTIVE signs of how your body is doing physiologically, whereas pain is completely SUBJECTIVE (see this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rWs_tncktU). When a triage acuity number is placed based solely on that modifier (person with completely normal vital signs but 10/10 pain) and therefore how that symptom is managed, you start a vicious cycle of problems and expectations...which sometimes leads to yelling, screaming, gnashing of teeth and sometimes people being not so politely removed from the ED. My first two complaints against me when I started in civilian medicine were from people insisting they needed narcotics for their issues (well, one of them was the Mommy of the adult child demanding I give them narcotics - RED FLAG).
CBH99 said:
Small point - meth is a stimulant, whereas opiates are narcotics...they have opposite effects.
:2c:
MM
- Reaction score
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- Points
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Paramedics face a spike in drug overdoses on welfare cheque day. aka "Welfare weekend." The answer? Stagger the distribution of welfare checks so addicts can OD in a more organised manner that is spread out throughout the month?
QUOTE
CBC
Mar 02, 2018
The provincial president of the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of B.C. says varying the days when social assistance cheques are issue would reduce the strain on paramedics responding to drug overdoses.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/welfare-cheques-bc-government-response-1.4559923
CBC
Dec 22, 2016
Users overdose minutes after cashing assistance cheques: Surrey paramedic
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/users-overdose-minutes-after-cashing-assistance-cheques-surrey-paramedic-1.3909781
'They're going right into the Money Marts and there's a dealer outside waiting for them,' says paramedic
END QUOTE
QUOTE
CBC
Mar 02, 2018
The provincial president of the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of B.C. says varying the days when social assistance cheques are issue would reduce the strain on paramedics responding to drug overdoses.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/welfare-cheques-bc-government-response-1.4559923
CBC
Dec 22, 2016
Users overdose minutes after cashing assistance cheques: Surrey paramedic
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/users-overdose-minutes-after-cashing-assistance-cheques-surrey-paramedic-1.3909781
'They're going right into the Money Marts and there's a dealer outside waiting for them,' says paramedic
END QUOTE
- Reaction score
- 1,503
- Points
- 1,260
Vancouver
Uncapped syringes have been discovered on stair railings, parking ticket dispensers and in car tires. Now a Paramedic says they have shown up on handicapped automatic door opener push plates.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/uncapped-syringe-deliberately-placed-in-dtes-paramedic-1.3831691
Could also go in, Your daily 'thing to be afraid of'
Uncapped syringes have been discovered on stair railings, parking ticket dispensers and in car tires. Now a Paramedic says they have shown up on handicapped automatic door opener push plates.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/uncapped-syringe-deliberately-placed-in-dtes-paramedic-1.3831691
Could also go in, Your daily 'thing to be afraid of'
- Reaction score
- 1,503
- Points
- 1,260
Need a nice, comfy, safe place to smoke meth? Go to Lethbridge, Alberta.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/calgary/first-safe-inhalation-site-opens-lethbridge-1.4566743
Using bug spray to get high,
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/03/18/think-what-its-doing-your-brain-using-bug-spray-get-high/426668002/?from=new-cookie
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/calgary/first-safe-inhalation-site-opens-lethbridge-1.4566743
Using bug spray to get high,
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/03/18/think-what-its-doing-your-brain-using-bug-spray-get-high/426668002/?from=new-cookie
medicineman
Army.ca Legend
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Is there a delivery address for us to send the meth users to in Lethbridge? Have a few that like using our ER as a motel fairly frequently of late...all might be happier then.
MM
MM
- Reaction score
- 1,503
- Points
- 1,260
medicineman said:
I read that Philadelphia, PA wants something similar. But, they are meeting with resistance.
The NYC Health Commissioner said she thinks supervised sites for drug addicts to shoot up are an effective way to fight the opioid crisis.
As far as Lethbridge, Alberta is concerned, it would likely take some OD's off the streets. Give the public the perception that something is being done. Just like the old "wet houses". We wouldn't be responding to a street corner. That's probably better optics as far as the taxpayers are concerned.
Probably stick modified duty personnel in there. Bad back? Can't lift? Report to opium den #...
- Reaction score
- 1,503
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Police can now give Narcan. If it works out and the person lives ...great. If they give Narcan and the person dies ...they end up under investigation.
http://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/04/06/siu-second-death-police-administration-naloxone/
http://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/04/06/siu-second-death-police-administration-naloxone/
Colin Parkinson
Army.ca Myth
- Reaction score
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No good deed goes unpunished.
- Reaction score
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The Ontario government is making a controversial change in the fight against opioid overdoses by asking bystanders to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to victims. The Paramedic Assoc of Canada's executive director, Pierre Poirier, pushed for the change.
CBC
April 10, 2018
Ontario makes controversial change on how to help overdose victims
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-makes-controversial-change-help-080000510.html
CBC
April 10, 2018
Ontario makes controversial change on how to help overdose victims
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-makes-controversial-change-help-080000510.html
- Reaction score
- 1,503
- Points
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The reason behind the spike in organ donations? Overdose deaths.
QUOTE
CNN
Apr.17, 2018
There's a 24-fold rise in organ transplants from drug overdose donors.
A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday now reveals just how much of an increase there has been in the number of overdose-death donors, from being only 1.1% of all donors in 2000 to 13.4% in 2017.
The study suggests that a rise in organ donations from drug overdose deaths could help America's organ shortage --
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/16/health/drug-overdoses-organ-transplants-study/index.html
END QUOTE
QUOTE
CNN
Apr.17, 2018
There's a 24-fold rise in organ transplants from drug overdose donors.
A study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday now reveals just how much of an increase there has been in the number of overdose-death donors, from being only 1.1% of all donors in 2000 to 13.4% in 2017.
The study suggests that a rise in organ donations from drug overdose deaths could help America's organ shortage --
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/16/health/drug-overdoses-organ-transplants-study/index.html
END QUOTE
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