Tag: morphine

The Dangers of Opioids: Q&A with Bradley T. Truax, MD

Anesthesiology News recently published an article about new research that found that increased used of HYDROmorphone (e.g. Dilaudid) over morphine triggers more opioid-related adverse events and higher readmission rates. In light of the study, the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) interviewed patient safety expert Bradley T. Truax, MD, who has written extensively about the dangers of Dilaudid.

By Sean Power

PPAHS: The study found that HYDROmorphone use has increased for pain treatment in hospital inpatients by 22% and 17% among surgical and medical patients, respectively, while morphine usage has decreased by 22% and 6%. It found higher rates of naloxone rescue for patients on HYDROmorphone and also found that the 30-day readmission rate was 1.37% higher in surgical patients and 3.41% higher in medical patients receiving HYDROmorphone. Should patients and physicians be alarmed by these numbers?

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Two Practices to Adopt After Pediatric Opioid Trial Halted

By Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

With more than 500,000 pediatric tonsillectomies performed each year in the United States, removal of tonsils is one of the most common surgeries performed on children. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, tonsillectomy is performed 20 percent for infection and 80 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. Continue reading “Two Practices to Adopt After Pediatric Opioid Trial Halted” →