DEA to enforce law requiring site-of-care opioid disposal policies
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will begin enforcing a law in August that requires hospices to develop policies for the disposal of unused opioid medications at the site of care, and document the steps they have taken during the disposal. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act authorizes hospice nurses and licensed independent practitioners to assist with the disposal of the unused opioids. The law was enacted last year as Public Law No: 115-271. Link to source>>
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will begin enforcing a law in August that requires hospices to develop policies for the disposal of unused opioid medications at the site of care, and document the steps they have taken during the disposal. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act authorizes hospice nurses and licensed independent practitioners to assist with the disposal of the unused opioids. The law was enacted last year as Public Law No: 115-271. Link to source>>
One-third of cancer survivors surveyed face chronic pain
A research letter in JAMA Oncology reported that 34.6% of cancer survivors suffer from chronic pain and 16.1% experience high-impact chronic pain, which limits their ability to live life or work on most days. Changchuan Jiang, MD, MPH, a medical resident at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, Mount Sinai West, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, was the lead author of the study, which used the National Health Interview Survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to estimate the prevalence among cancer survivors of chronic pain. Survivors with less than a high-school education, a low household income, unemployed, and receiving public insurance were more likely to have pain. Link to source (subscription required)>>
A research letter in JAMA Oncology reported that 34.6% of cancer survivors suffer from chronic pain and 16.1% experience high-impact chronic pain, which limits their ability to live life or work on most days. Changchuan Jiang, MD, MPH, a medical resident at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s, Mount Sinai West, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, was the lead author of the study, which used the National Health Interview Survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to estimate the prevalence among cancer survivors of chronic pain. Survivors with less than a high-school education, a low household income, unemployed, and receiving public insurance were more likely to have pain. Link to source (subscription required)>>
In study, most patients benefit from checkpoint inhibitors
At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, a research team presented results of a study in which it applied the ASCO and European Society of Medical Oncology value frameworks to 21 randomized clinical trials involving U.S. FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors. Sophie Feng, MD, with the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto, Canada, and colleagues, reported that in 73% to 86% of the trials, patients in palliative care settings showed a benefit from the immunotherapy drugs. Link to source>>
At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, a research team presented results of a study in which it applied the ASCO and European Society of Medical Oncology value frameworks to 21 randomized clinical trials involving U.S. FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors. Sophie Feng, MD, with the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto, Canada, and colleagues, reported that in 73% to 86% of the trials, patients in palliative care settings showed a benefit from the immunotherapy drugs. Link to source>>
Hastings Center to study ethics of dementia end-of-life choices
The Hastings Center in Garrison, NY, plans to research dementia and the concerns of people with the condition, with funding from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust. Nancy Berlinger, MDiv, PhD, a research scholar at The Hastings Center, and Mildred Z. Solomon, EdD, the Center’s president, will serve as principal investigators. They will conduct an ethical analysis of end-of-life choices in the context of dementia, identifying areas where further research or policymaking is needed. They also will investigate improving the experience of living with dementia and caring for people with the condition. They will report on their findings in 2021. Link to source>>
The Hastings Center in Garrison, NY, plans to research dementia and the concerns of people with the condition, with funding from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust. Nancy Berlinger, MDiv, PhD, a research scholar at The Hastings Center, and Mildred Z. Solomon, EdD, the Center’s president, will serve as principal investigators. They will conduct an ethical analysis of end-of-life choices in the context of dementia, identifying areas where further research or policymaking is needed. They also will investigate improving the experience of living with dementia and caring for people with the condition. They will report on their findings in 2021. Link to source>>
CRP/albumin ratio helps predict cancer survival
The C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio can help predict cancer patient survival in palliative care settings, according to a study in Journal of Palliative Medicine. Jing Zhang, MD, PhD, at the Shanghai Cancer Center in China, was the lead author of the study, which retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 262 patients who died of advanced cancer to assess the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio. The value is based on laboratory results and is completely objective, according to Zhang and colleagues. Link to source>>
The C-reactive protein/albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio can help predict cancer patient survival in palliative care settings, according to a study in Journal of Palliative Medicine. Jing Zhang, MD, PhD, at the Shanghai Cancer Center in China, was the lead author of the study, which retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 262 patients who died of advanced cancer to assess the prognostic value of the CRP/Alb ratio. The value is based on laboratory results and is completely objective, according to Zhang and colleagues. Link to source>>
FDA solicits public feedback on opioid blister packs
The FDA is seeking public comment on a possible modification to the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. The change would require certain immediate-release opioids be dispensed to outpatients in fixed-quantity blister packaging. The aim is to reduce the quantity of unused opioids and the possibility of misuse and abuse. Comments must be received by July 30, 2019. Link to source>>
The FDA is seeking public comment on a possible modification to the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy. The change would require certain immediate-release opioids be dispensed to outpatients in fixed-quantity blister packaging. The aim is to reduce the quantity of unused opioids and the possibility of misuse and abuse. Comments must be received by July 30, 2019. Link to source>>
States with medical cannabis have lower opioid prescribing for some adults
Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP, and colleagues at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, reported in Preventive Medicine the results of a cross-sectional analysis of opioid prescribing among adults with private insurance. The researchers found less opioid use in states with medical cannabis laws among people aged 18–55 years. However, that association was not significant in the oldest age group studied, adults ages 56–64 years. Link to source (subscription required)>>
Mukaila Raji, MD, MS, FACP, and colleagues at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, reported in Preventive Medicine the results of a cross-sectional analysis of opioid prescribing among adults with private insurance. The researchers found less opioid use in states with medical cannabis laws among people aged 18–55 years. However, that association was not significant in the oldest age group studied, adults ages 56–64 years. Link to source (subscription required)>>
Maine legalizes physician-assisted aid-in-dying
Maine joined seven other states to allow physician aid-in-dying. Gov. Janet Mills signed the legislation into law, but stated she hopes it will not be used often. The Maine law will let physicians write prescriptions for lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients. The bill clearly states that the action is not considered suicide. The law requires that patients must seek a second opinion from a different physician. Link to source>>
Maine joined seven other states to allow physician aid-in-dying. Gov. Janet Mills signed the legislation into law, but stated she hopes it will not be used often. The Maine law will let physicians write prescriptions for lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients. The bill clearly states that the action is not considered suicide. The law requires that patients must seek a second opinion from a different physician. Link to source>>
Hospice offers support for survivors of 2018 wildfires
Hospice of the Conejo in Thousand Oaks, CA, has created a support group for survivors of last year’s Woolsey and Hill wildfires. The fires can cause emotional distress for people who lived through them. Victims can go through stages of adjustment, such as shock, anger, depression, and hopelessness. Link to source>>
Hospice of the Conejo in Thousand Oaks, CA, has created a support group for survivors of last year’s Woolsey and Hill wildfires. The fires can cause emotional distress for people who lived through them. Victims can go through stages of adjustment, such as shock, anger, depression, and hopelessness. Link to source>>
Top 10 tips for palliative care clinicians on telepalliative care
Telehealth can increase access to palliative care, help support caregivers, and aid in monitoring of patients with serious illnesses, according to a paper published in Journal of Palliative Medicine. Brook Anne Calton, MD, MHS, at the University of California, San Francisco, led a group of 10 experts in telehealth and palliative care that offered 10 tips for providing telepalliative care, based on their review of evidence. Their suggestions include developing trust and rapport, carefully planning a telepalliative program, using technology to support family caregivers, and using checklists to ensure successful virtual visits.  |
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