Some thoughts on overuse of sedatives, opiates, and stimulants

A recent article over at the Why is American Health Care So Expensive blog discussed the patterns in overuse of sedatives, opiates, and stimulants, noting:There is no good evidence that these medications are either safe or effective when used long term. In fact there is good evidence that they are NOT safe, and quite a bit of circumstantial evidence that they are not effective. We prescribe many times the number of controlled substances now than we did a decade ago, and overall Americans are not less anxious or less in pain or better able to concentrate than they were before. Those of us who prescribe opiates to patients with chronic pain very rarely see the pain become significantly more manageable though we do see the patients

Do they deserve a medal?

The United Hospital Fund has posted a quarter page ad in the New York Times, entitled “They deserve a medal.” The ad celebrates hospital trustees whose “leadership and dedication make life better for all New Yorkers,” and there will be a presentation in their honor at the Waldorf-Astoria. This is an annual event by the UHF.I firmly believe that hospital trustees are dedicated and thoughtful folks, who devote time, energy, and money to support local institutions. We should indeed be grateful for their devotion to the cause. But it’s been my experience that many hospital governing boards fail to address fully the patient experience. So, I wondered what, other than personal commitment, the boards of these hospitals have achieved on that front. I