Sampson Regional puts an end to dispensing of narcotic pain meds

In an effort to reduce the epidemic of prescription drug abuse being felt in Sampson and across the country, emergency physicians at Sampson Regional Medical Center are no longer refilling narcotic pain and sedative medications. Instead of dispensing narcotic pills, they are instead doling out referrals to primary care physicians so patients may receive the proper treatment.

Sampson Regional is another in the growing number of emergency departments taking such measures to reduce the increasing overuse of narcotic and sedative medications used to treat chronic pain.

Medications such as Codeine, Hydrocodone (Lortab and Vicodin), Oxycodone (Percocet), Morphine, Darvocet, Oxycontin, Xanax and Valium are just some that will no longer be dispensed by emergency physicians. A full list is provided by hospital officials.

“We are trying to limit the amount of narcotics being given out,” said Dr. Steven D. Kelley, chief of emergency medicine at Sampson Regional.

He pointed to the increasing abuse of the medications.

“It seems as though that has become more of a problem,” said Kelley. “What they were doing previous to this policy was (patients) were given four or five pills to get them through.”

Those pre-packs of narcotic pills were given out after pharmacy hours so pain could be eased in the meantime.

“What’s happening is people are getting narcotics from multiple providers,” said Kelley. “People have implemented other policies to limit the use and abuse of narcotics. It is becoming sort of an epidemic.”

Under the new policy, implemented Feb. 1, patients who have chronic pain will only receive non-narcotic pain medication as a temporary treatment. Patients who frequently visit the emergency room seeking relief from pain — more than two visits in one month, six visits per year — will be deemed to have chronic pain syndrome.

The policy makes exceptions for terminal conditions, such as cancer. However, all patients will be responsible for maintaining an active prescription with their primary care provider.

“The goal is to get them back to a primary care physician,” said Kelley. “Our goal is to get these folks who frequent our ER the proper care. We need to get them to someone to manage that care and that’s not what the ER is there to do. We manage emergency care.”

Wanda Boyette, chief operating officer at Sampson Regional, said the SRMC emergency room remains inundated with patients receiving all levels of care, estimating well in excess of 30,000 patients a year.

“It’s increasing, it’s definitely not decreasing,” Boyette noted.

She said there may be some backlash as a result of the new policy, but patients are urged not to take it up with emergency physicians. They are all required to follow the policy, which has been adopted after consideration by the Emergency Department Staff, as well as endorsements by the hospital’s medical staff and the hospital administration.

“We’ll have more complaints,” said Boyette. “They’ll be angry and take it out on providers. It will not be without a lot of gnashing of teeth. We want to take care of their pain, but we will not be dispensing narcotics, so they know what to expect. You just don’t come to the ER to get narcotics and get refills. We want to give them the proper care.”

Boyette said, once confronted with the policy, patients may show hostility and then seek the narcotic medications from elsewhere. She said she is hoping they will grow to accept the change and form a closer relationship with their primary care provider so that plans to treat chronic pain can be developed.

Laurie Smith, director for emergency services at SRMC, said the policy must be followed and all nurses have been instructed to do so.

“We probably will be in the hot seat,” said Smith. “On behalf of the nursing staff, I just want to make sure the policy is followed. We don’t want to add to the epidemic.”

In the past, some patients have gone so far as to return to the emergency room under fictitious names, in an effort to get more narcotic medications.

“As a nurse, you know this patient is being dishonest but there’s not much you can do,” said Smith. “(The new policy) standardizes the care.”

Kelley said the most important thing everyone should know is that if they are experiencing pain, doctors at Sampson Regional will do their best to ease it — in a responsible way. Patient safety is at the forefront, Boyette said.

Boyette noted two recent deaths at Sampson Regional from patients taking narcotic medications. They were not given the meds at the Clinton hospital, but died as a result of them.

“That should hit home with people around here that these narcotics can be dangerous,” said Kelley. “You see people getting excess amounts and people taking too much narcotics for chronic pain. Obviously, these medicines are important and needed, but there’s a better way to address chronic pain.

“It’s much easier to write (the prescription) and move on,” Kelley attests, “but it’s not the responsible thing to do.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@intrstar.net.

Call us today to discuss how the V.I.P. Way can free you from your opiate dependency and get your life back. Call today: (800)276-7021 or (702)308-6353 Email: info@rapiddetoxlasvegas.com Medical Director: Board-Certified by American Board of Anesthesiology 1994, former chief of cardiac anesthesia, University of Nevada School of Medicine. Board-Certified by American Board of Pain Medicine 1997, Clinical Assistant Professor University Nevada School of Medicine.