The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Haxtun Health has joined the Colorado ALTO (alternative to opioids) Project to reduce the administration of opioids in the hospital’s emergency department. Haxtun Health’s goal is to improve pain management for its patients and return them to a maximum quality of life while also recognizing and controlling the inherent risks of prescribing highly addictive medications like opioids.

Haxtun Health’s clinicians are dedicated to understanding and responding appropriately to their patients’ physical and emotional symptoms of pain in addition to taking steps to help the community combat the ongoing opioid epidemic.

This project implements components from the 2017 Opioid Prescribing & Treatment Guidelines developed by the Colorado chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Haxtun Health’s ED. These guidelines include using alternatives to opioids as a first line of defense in treating patients with painful conditions before resorting to opioids.

“While opioids can be effective for acute pain, the ongoing opioid crisis has made us acutely aware of the risks of dependence and overdose. By carefully evaluating each case and exploring alternative pain management options, we can provide effective relief while minimizing the potential for harm to our patients and the community,” said Dr. Ben Stephenson, MD, Chief of Staff. “We [primary care physicians] are working alongside Haxtun Health’s Quality Department to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care, and our focus continues to be on our patient’s long-term overall wellbeing. While prescribing ALTOs in leu of opioids, when appropriate, we provide exceptional care for our hurting patients while not opening the door to potential addiction and further hurt.”

Colorado is at the forefront of the nation’s opioid epidemic with the 12th highest rate of prescription opioid misuse and abuse out of all 50 states. Colorado hospitals, particularly the EDs, are in a strong position to integrate new and more effective pain management treatments that are tailored to each patient’s unique pain experience.

In January 2018, Colorado Hospital Association announced the results of the Colorado Opioid Safety Pilot initiated in 10 EDs across the state in 2017. During the six-month pilot, the participating facilities reduced the administration of opioids by an average of 36 percent and increased the usage of ALTOs by 31 percent.

Haxtun Health is pleased to be joining this effort to reduce the opioid epidemic in Colorado.