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  • January 03, 2020 9:42 AM | Anonymous

    Austin S. Kilaru, MD; Jeanmarie Perrone, MD; David Kelley, MD; Sari Siegel, PhD; Su Fen Lubitz, MPH; Nandita Mitra, PhD; Zachary F. Meisel, MD

    Introduction

    Pennsylvania experienced an 80% increase in emergency department (ED) visits for opioid overdose from 2016 to 2017.1 The engagement of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in treatment after hospital discharge is a key strategy in preventing subsequent opioid overdose.2,3 The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services established an incentive program to improve the rate of OUD follow-up treatment among Medicaid recipients.4 In the Opioid Hospital Quality Improvement Program, hospitals earned payment for designing and attesting to 4 distinct clinical pathways: (1) ED initiation of buprenorphine treatment, (2) warm handoff to community resources, (3) referral and treatment for pregnant patients, and (4) inpatient initiation of medication treatment. Payment of the full incentive ($193 000) was contingent on participation and attestation of all 4 pathways, with smaller incentives for partial participation.We evaluated participation in this program among hospitals.

    Methods

    This study was deemed to be exempt from review by the institutional review board at the University of Pennsylvania. Because this study was done with publicly reported data, no informed consent was required by the institutional review board.We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of all hospitals with an ED in Pennsylvania.We excluded pediatric, federal, and specialty hospitals. Participation in the program was publicly reported in January 2019.4 We obtained publicly reported data on hospital characteristics from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and county-level data from the Pennsylvania Open Data Portal.5,6 We used a multivariable logistic regression model with robust SEs to compare differences in characteristics of hospitals that fully participated with those that declined or partially participated.We report adjusted risk differences (ARDs) and corresponding 95%CIs. A 2-sided P < .05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Analyses were conducted using Stata, version 14 (StataCorp LLC). This study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guideline.

    Read the full article which includes results, tables and discussion (plus references) here!

  • December 06, 2019 1:29 PM | Anonymous

    Submitted By David “Mac” Macmaster, CSAC, PTTS - Wisconsin Nicotine Treatment Integration Project (WINTIP)

    Who is responsible for treating tobacco use disorders (TUD)?

    Typically the programs created to treat substance use disorders, and TUD is by definition a substance use disorder—do NOT accept people with a sole or primary diagnosis of TUD for treatment.  For example, in Wisconsin TUD exclusion is confirmed in DHS75-86, the rule that governs substance use disorders in our state.  As far as I know the only state that has completely integrated TUD treatment in their statewide addiction services is New York State since 2008 under their rule 856. Other states like Wisconsin are seeking tobacco integration into behavioral health treatment services.

    FACT: The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) includes Tobacco Use Disorder as a legitimate substance use disorder and provides intervention and treatment practices in their ASAM CRITERIA manual

    FACT: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals that identifies psychiatric related disorders includes ”Nicotine Dependence and Abuse” as a substance dependence and abuse disorder in (DSM1V.) In 2015 (DSM1V) was updated to (DSM5) that includes “Tobacco Use Disorder” as a substance use disorder.

    IMPRESSION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) supports tobacco integration in behavioral health services.

    FACT: Substance Use Disorder treatment providers do not identify tobacco use disorders as being within their scope of practice and do not accept those with TUD for SUD treatment

    CONCLUSIONS:
    Disease and death from tobacco in behavioral health populations can be reduced when:

    1.  Substance Use Disorder providers expand their scopes of practice to include treatment of tobacco use disorder with the best practices they provide for treating other SUDs2.
    2. Mental health providers diagnose and either treat TUD with smoking cessation evidence-based practices or refer those with TUD to SUD providers as an option when a TUD is confirmed through tobacco use assessments

    The public health model of smoking cessation that has successfully reduced smoking in America from 42% to the current 15% was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) The CDC created the Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) in 1965 and established single state Tobacco Prevention and Control (TPCP) agencies in every state.

    One of the OSH mission objectives was, and is, address disparity populations that smoke more; develop more tobacco caused and related diseases, and die prematurely from tobacco than in the general population.  The Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program has included behavioral health populations (substance use and mental health disorders) as disparity populations and included behavior and tobacco issues as a priority in Wisconsin’s TPCP’s strategic plan.

    Smoking cessation has always been a priority for the CDC/OSH and TPCP services. The internationally accepted Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence provides evidence-based practices for treating TUD and establishes that these clinical practice guidelines are effective for smoking and tobacco cessation.

    A review of evidence-based effective treatment practices for substance abuse disorders and a review of evidence-based TUD disorders reveals these practices are essentially identical. In other words, what works to achieve successful abstinence and harm reduction treatment outcomes for alcohol, opiates, cocaine and other substance use disorders also work for those with tobacco use disorders.

    My observation is that the tobacco programs do not diagnose tobacco use disorders (TUD) using DSM5 assessment criteria and do not make referrals to addiction/SUD treatment providers. This has been typical practice since the Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs were established.

    SUMMARY
    The opening question for this opinion article was:
    Who is responsible for treating tobacco use disorders (TUD?)

    Should the addiction/substance use disorder treatment providers treat TUD? Of course they should, but they aren’t. They can but they don’t.  Yet, these SUD providers have successfully integrated alcohol and other drugs and treat them at the same time. They have not gone out of business doing it. They can treat TUD. There is no evidence to the contrary.

    Should the Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs treat tobacco use disorders? They already are. They call it cessation. They use a public health model that research reports is effective for many with tobacco use disorders.

    However tobacco use disorders are on a continuum of severity. Public health smoking cessation is effective, but is not always enough for those with a severe TUD. They might be more successfully treated in substance use disorder treatment programs when access to addiction/SUD treatment becomes available.  Addiction treatment and smoking cessation programs provide two effective options for treating tobacco use disorders. Two viable options are better than only one.

    I am motivated by this vision.

    When we successfully integrate tobacco use disorder treatment and tobacco free recovery we will open the door to addiction treatment that has been closed too long.  In Wisconsin we have more than 3,500 alcohol and other drug counselors who have the skills to treat all the substance use disorders including TUD. We have social workers, therapists, doctors and many more that can improve treatment opportunities for those with TUD. This would be true in every state when access to tobacco use disorder treatment and tobacco free recovery support expands dramatically.  We would double, triple and provide even more opportunities for smoking cessation and tobacco free recovery.

    Addiction treatment providers will discover they can readily treat patients with TUD harmoniously with other SUD’s. New York State and one of our Wisconsin programs have done it successfully for more than a decade.

    Smoking cessation programs will have an option for Wisconsin residents with tobacco use disorders they haven’t had before. They can refer people to our established substance use disorder treatment programs.

    It is time to integrate effective tobacco use disorder in our substance use disorder treatment and other behavioral health programs. It is time to lead and make this integration in behavioral health happen. Lives will be saved. That is why we created WINTIP in the first place.

    __

    Our Wisconsin Nicotine Treatment Integration Project (WINTIP) is a strong advocate for tobacco cessation, treatment, and tobacco free recovery support. WINTIP was created to integrate evidence-based Tobacco Use Disorder treatment in our Wisconsin behavioral health programs and services. Our strong advocacy for tobacco integration in behavioral health will make it easier for decision makers to finally assure this gap in tobacco treatment is closed for the good of those suffering from tobacco use disorders and their families.  Tobacco integration in behavioral health is the ethical and clinically responsible improvement in Wisconsin’s public health strategic plan we need to make.  There is no longer any viable excuse for not doing it.

    Contact Information:
    David “Mac” Macmaster
    Managing Consultant – Wisconsin Nicotine Treatment Integration Project (WINTIP)
    608-393-1556
    creativerep@mac.com

  • December 05, 2019 2:24 PM | Anonymous

    December 5 - Wisconsin Medical Society Medigram

    The Wisconsin Medical Society is excited to announce that WisMed Community – the new online community just for WisMed Members – will be live on Monday, December 9! This new member benefit will allow physicians to connect, collaborate and celebrate their successes.

    Initially, there will be two community groups: WisMed Members (for general discussions about things like tips and recommendations) and Share a Success (for you to share the great work you or a colleague is doing to advance health care). More community groups will go live in the coming months including Advocacy in Action, so be sure to check back often.

    Members will receive an email on Monday with information about how to get logged in and start connecting with colleagues. Please add connectedcommunity.org to your safe sender list so you stay connected.

    Contact Anne Hauer with questions.

  • November 12, 2019 10:16 AM | Anonymous

    November 12, Wisconsin Health News

    Wisconsin collected more than 30 tons of prescription drugs during a drug take back day last month, according to final numbers released by the Department of Justice last week.

    Wisconsin collected a total of 60,472 pounds of drugs on Oct. 26. Across the state, 280 law enforcement agencies held drug take back events and collected medications from 476 drug disposal boxes.

    The collected medications were transported to Indianapolis where they were incinerated.

    Wisconsin had the second largest collection of any state in the nation, according to a report of preliminary numbers from the Drug Enforcement Agency.


  • November 12, 2019 10:12 AM | Anonymous

    November 12, Wisconsin Health News

    Legislators are asking their colleagues to sponsor seven more bills that are part of a years-long effort to fight the opioid epidemic.

    The bills began circulating for co-sponsorship last week.

    They’re part of the Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education Agenda, a series of 30 bipartisan bills that have passed the Legislature.

    Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, noted that recent data show overdose deaths declining in Wisconsin. He said that they've worked with healthcare professionals, the recovery community and law enforcement on addressing the issue.

    “The HOPE Agenda is not a silver bullet solution to our statewide drug epidemic, but I am proud that we are continuing to take steps in the right direction,” Nygren said in a statement.

    The bills would:

    • Increase a supplemental appropriation for the Joint Finance Committee by $1 million over the biennium to up Medicaid rates for physical health services, like chiropractic care and physical therapy. The Department of Health Services would have to request the release of the funds from the Joint Finance Committee. The bill also directs DHS to submit a plan to the federal government to create a Medicaid benefit for acupuncture. 
    • Repeal a sunset for current law that grants immunity from prosecution for certain controlled substance crimes and from having probation, parole or extended supervision revoked for possessing a controlled substance to those calling for help for another person suffering an overdose. It also ends a sunset for a law granting immunity from prosecution or having probation, parole or extended supervision revoked for a controlled substance to overdose victims, if they complete a drug treatment program.
    • Extend a sunset for a law requiring prescribers to check a patient's records in the state’s prescription drug monitoring program before issuing a prescription order. Under the bill, the requirement would end on April 1, 2025, rather than April 1, 2020. The bill would also require the Controlled Substances Board to conduct a quarterly review of the program through Oct. 30, 2025, rather than through Oct. 30, 2020.
    • Require the Medical Examining Board to issue guidelines on the best practices for treating neonatal abstinence syndrome.
    • Require DHS to create a Medicaid benefit for peer recovery coach services. Also mandate that the department establish and maintain a program to coordinate and continue care following a substance use overdose.
    • Require DHS to create a registry of approved recovery residences. DHS couldn’t include any recovery residency that excludes those participating in medication-assisted treatment programs. The legislation also bars disciplining state employees who are using controlled substances as a recommended part of their medication-assisted treatment.
    • Require DHS to study the availability of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in prisons and jails. The agency will then have to propose a pilot project to the Joint Finance Committee to make all approved mediations for substance use disorder treatment available in at least one prison or county jail. The plan allows county jails to enter into an agreement with an ambulance service provider or doctor to obtain a supply of the anti-overdose drug naloxone and allows jailers to receive the training to administer the medication. The bill also grants legal immunity for administering naloxone.
  • November 06, 2019 10:41 AM | Anonymous

    November 6, Wisconsin Health News

    A new Medicaid benefit for residential substance use disorder treatment could go into effect Feb. 1, pending approval of a final plan submitted to the Joint Finance Committee. 

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services signed off on the plan last month. The committee will take a passive review process to the plan, meaning it'll go into effect unless members decide to meet.

    DHS has begun pre-implementation outreach and communication activities about the program.

    The benefit would cover short-term residential services in facilities that have been excluded from federal reimbursement because they're institutions for mental disease. 
  • October 28, 2019 10:44 AM | Anonymous

    October 28, Wisconsin Health News

    More than 5,000 people contacted a state helpline connecting those seeking help with addiction to community resources during its first year.

    The Addiction Recovery Helpline, a 24/7 hotline managed by 211 Wisconsin under a contract with the Department of Health Services, offers help to individuals with challenges related to drug use.

    “Too often people delay seeking treatment for a substance use challenge simply because they don’t know where to begin,” DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm said in a Friday statement. “The Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline is a good first step."

    The helpline began taking calls on Oct. 22. In its first year, 5,594 contacted it.

    Operators facilitated 11,940 referrals as people can call the line more than once and can be referred to more than one service.

    Assessment, detoxification and residential treatment services were the most referred services. 
  • October 22, 2019 3:21 PM | Anonymous

    2019, WISAM Announcement

    Michael Miller, MD, DFASAM, founding member of the Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine and past president of ASAM, receives the McGovern Award at the ASAM 51st Annual Conference. View video here.

    This video is being shared from the ASAM 50th Annual Conference. You're invited to view more of The ASAM 50th Annual Conference on ASAM’s e-Learning Center here: https://elearning.asam.org/products/asam-50th-annual-conference-innovations-in-addiction-medicine-and-science-2019-85-cme.

  • October 08, 2019 12:53 PM | Anonymous

    Charles Franklin, PhD, nationally recognized government scholar and pollster, will headline Doctor Day 2020.

    Doctor Franklin has served as director of the Marquette Law School Poll since its inception in 2012.  During that year’s highly scrutinized election cycle, he established Marquette as the definitive source for information concerning public opinion in Wisconsin.

    Under Doctor Franklin’s direction as a visiting professor at Marquette, the poll became the largest independent polling project in state history. It accurately captured voter attitudes before every major election in 2012, including the gubernatorial recall, U.S. Senate and presidential races.

    Since joining Marquette as a professor of law and public policy in August 2013, Doctor Franklin has used the poll to continue tracking political races of interest to voters and explore additional public policy issues.

    At Doctor Day on January 29, 2020, Franklin will share his insight and polling data relevant healthcare policy and the 2020 elections.

    Click here for more information!

  • September 04, 2019 10:20 AM | Anonymous

    September 4, Wisconsin Health News

    Around $5.2 million in new federal funding is heading to Wisconsin to help fight the opioid epidemic, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said Tuesday.

    The money, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will help the Department of Health Services' opioid surveillance and prevention efforts.

    Baldwin pushed for the money.

    "Washington needs to do more to address the opioid epidemic," she said in a statement. "A strong partnership with state and local officials is essential to an effective response."


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