June 4, 2015 by jamespmurphymd - 3 Comments

Plan to THINK… How to prescribe controlled substances in Kentucky for the first three months

Kentucky’s controlled substances regulations make clear distinctions between: (1) initial prescribing, (2) prescribing by the three-month mark, and (3) prescribing beyond three months. To make matters even more confusing, the regulations are two-tiered, with specific language pertaining only to schedule II drugs, with schedule V drugs being exempt from the regulations.

Because of some seemingly redundant and contradictory language, understanding Kentucky’s regulations can be challenging. Prescriber uncertainty can interfere with proper patient care. In an effort to simplify this process I have summarized Kentucky’s regulations governing the initial prescribing of controlled substances in a convenient “check list” format. Future articles will look at the three-month mark and beyond.

The bold components of the checklist are required only when prescribing schedule II controlled substances. However, to be safe I recommend checking off all of the requirements when prescribing any schedule II-IV drug.

Note: I am a physician; not a lawyer. This summary is not legal advice. Each facility and physician should consult its own legal counsel for advice and guidance.

P lan to T H I N K

What to do initially when prescribing during the first three months of treatment.

P lan

___ Deliberate decision that it is medically appropriate to prescribe or dispense the controlled substance in the amount specified

___ Written plan stating the objectives of the treatment

____Written plan stating any further diagnostic examinations

T each

___ Safe use

___ A controlled substance for an acute complaint is for time-limited use

___ Discontinue medication when the condition has resolved

___ Proper disposal of any unused medications

___ KBML website resources

Note: Educational materials relating to these subjects may be found on the board’s web site, www.kbml.ky.gov or
http://kbml.ky.gov/hb1/Pages/Considerations-For-Patient-Education.aspx

H istory and physical

___ Appropriate medical history relevant to the medical complaint, including a history of present illness

___ Physical examination of the patient relevant to the medical complaint and related symptoms

I nformed consent

__ Discuss the benefits and risks of prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance to the patient, including:

(a) nontreatment, (b) other treatment, (c) the risk of tolerance and (d) the risk of drug dependence

__ Obtain written consent for the treatment.

N o long-acting opioids

___ No long-acting or controlled-release opioids for acute pain that is not directly related to and “close in time” to a specific surgical procedure

K ASPER

___ Obtain and review KASPER report for that patient for the preceding 12 months

___ Appropriately utilize KASPER information in evaluation and treatment

Additional documentation required for patient prescribed a schedule II controlled substance, as “appropriate”:

___Diagnostics (labs, studies, etc.)

___Evaluations and consultations;

___Treatments and outcomes

___Medications (date, type, dosage, and quantity)

___Instructions

___Agreements

When prescribing “additional” Schedule II, at “reasonable” and individualized intervals review:

___ Plan of care

___ Provide any new information about the treatment

___ Modify or terminate the treatment as appropriate

EXEMPTIONS to Kentucky’s regulations:

The exemptions are very confusing. While the first set of exemptions (see below) are supposed to apply to all controlled substance, there are additional exemptions that pertain only to schedule II controlled substances.

I believe the most important points here are:

Cancer patients are exempted.
In-patients are exempted for Schedule III-IV
In-patients receiving schedule II drugs must have a KASPER, but all the treating physicians can share the report.
Post-op schedule II drugs are exempted for 2 weeks.
Schedule V drugs are always exempted.

Here are the exemptions in detail:

Kentucky’s regulations shall not apply to a physician prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance:

(a) To a patient as part of the patient’s hospice or end-of-life treatment;

(b) To a patient admitted to a licensed hospital as an inpatient, outpatient, or observation patient, during and as part of a normal and expected part of the patient’s course of care at that hospital;

(d) To a patient who is a registered resident of a long-term-care facility as defined in KRS 216.510;

(e) During the effective period of any period of disaster or mass casualties which has a direct impact upon the physician’s practice;

(f) In a single dose prescribed or dispensed to relieve the anxiety, pain, or discomfort experienced by that patient submitting to a diagnostic test or procedure; or

(g) That has been classified as a Schedule V controlled substance.

But wait! There are more exemptions that pertain only when prescribing Schedule II controlled substances…

For each patient for whom a physician prescribes or dispenses a Schedule II these regulations shall not apply to:

A physician prescribing or administering that controlled substance immediately prior to, during, or within the fourteen (14) days following an operative or invasive procedure or a delivery if the prescribing or administering is medically related to the operative or invasive procedure or delivery and the medication usage does not extend beyond the fourteen (14) days; or
For administration in a hospital or long-term-care facility if the hospital or long-term-care facility with an institutional account, or a physician in those hospitals or facilities if no institutional account exists, queries KASPER for all available data on the patient or resident for the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the query, within twelve (12) hours of the patient’s or resident’s admission, and places a copy of the query in the patient’s or resident’s medical records for use during the duration of the patient’s stay at the facility;
As part of the patient’s hospice or end-of-life treatment;
For the treatment of pain associated with cancer or with the treatment of cancer;
In a single dose to relieve the anxiety, pain, or discomfort experienced by a patient submitting to a diagnostic test or procedure;
Within seven (7) days of an initial prescribing or dispensing under subsection (1) of this section if the prescribing or dispensing:
1. Is done as a substitute for the initial prescribing or dispensing;
2. Cancels any refills for the initial prescription; and
3. Requires the patient to dispose of any remaining unconsumed medication;
Within ninety (90) days of an initial prescribing or dispensing under subsection (1) of this section if the prescribing or dispensing is done by another physician in the same practice or in an existing coverage arrangement, if done for the same patient for the same medical condition; or
To a research subject enrolled in a research protocol approved by an institutional review board that has an active federalwide assurance number from the United States Department for Health and Human Services, Office for Human Research Protections if the research involves single, double, or triple blind drug administration or is additionally covered by a certificate of confidentiality from the National Institutes of Health.

There are additional “Professional Standards for Commencing Long Term Use of Prescribing or Dispensing of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Pain and Related Symptoms Associated with a Primary Medical Complaint” that must be met before a physician commences to prescribe or dispense any controlled substance to a patient sixteen (16) years or older for pain or other symptoms associated with the same primary medical complaint for a total period of longer than three (3) months.

To address this information and much more, there will be another Confluential Truth article coming soon. You may also refer to the regulations as posted on the KBML website (http://kbml.ky.gov/hb1/Pages/House-Bill-1-Ordinary-Regulations.aspx) and in the “comments” section accompanying this article.

***

April 26, 2015 by jamespmurphymd - 1 Comment

The Seven Essentials for Pain Practice Success* …Sailing the Seven C’s

Success is counted sweetest by those who ne’er succeed.
~Emily Dickinson

You treat chronic pain? Thank goodness someone does.
~My physician colleagues … on numerous occasions

I have treated chronic pain in a variety of practice settings, large and small, for almost thirty years. It has not always been easy. But I have found that success in this specialty is possible when the practice foundation consists of seven basic elements:

Cost-effective
Cooperation
Compliance
Consensus
Culture
Cause
Care

Chronic pain is not an exotic clinical niche. It is a chronic illness and should be approached step-wise as one would approach other chronic illnesses:

(1) Gather information;
(2) Make a diagnosis;
(3) Implement a plan of care;
(4) Assess the results; and
(5) Make adjustments.

A physician is generally comfortable with this paradigm when it applies to caring for an individual pain patient. However, regardless of one’s clinical confidence, when the practice’s primary mission is to treat chronic pain, overriding concerns about economic viability, community safety, and regulatory scrutiny become major stressors for a physician. More than just a paradigm is needed.

By embracing The Seven Essentials for Pain Practice Success a healthcare organization of any size or complexity can meet this need and provide quality pain care that is valued by the patient and professionally satisfying to the provider.

The Seven Essentials for Pain Practice Success

1. COST-EFFECTIVE

There’s no escaping the fact that healthcare costs are prodigious and resources are finite. Care providers may feel compelled to offer expensive treatments and order technologically advanced tests, regardless of the cost, out of a desire to provide the best care possible. But “best care” is not equivalent to “most-expensive care.” The success of any pain care practice is dependent upon use of resources – of the patient and the practice- in a manner that optimizes value.

2. COOPERATION

Do not tell patients what you will do to them. Instead, figure out how you can work with them. Providing care in a climate of draconian pain regulations, dogmatic practice guidelines, and dearth of evidence to support treatment options, is optimized by patient-practitioner partnerships. Success requires positive outcomes for the: (1) patient, (2) caregiver, and (3) community. If any of these three stakeholders have bad outcomes, failure is the sum total. With cooperation and teamwork, success is more likely achieved.

3. COMPLIANCE

Be a follower. In addition to an ever-increasing database of clinical guidelines, there are numerous regulations and statutes governing how healthcare providers may treat pain, particularly when treatment involves controlled substances. Some of the rules are federal statutes that apply universally. Other rules are only specific to individual states or communities. Rules governing pain care delivery may not necessarily reflect the best clinical practice, but are usually based upon sound principles. Search for the reason behind the rule. But if all else fails, go ahead and “teach to the test.” Compliance is mandatory. Even if you think “outside the box” do not act outside the box. Know the rules and follow the rules.

4. CONSENSUS

A successful pain practice must agree on how they will operate. Do some providers allow early refills, while others will not? Are some quick to discharge a patient who has an abnormal drug screen, while others give second chances? How often do we drug screen? Do we prescribe drugs on the first visit? Through honest communication the group must reach a consensus on “our way” of doing things.

5. CULTURE

Every organization has its own culture. A successful pain practice understands its culture, knows its weaknesses and knows its strengths. For example, if the group’s dominant culture is intuitive, then it needs safeguards (i.e. objective and detail-oriented policies and procedures) to focus on specifics. Success requires that individuals not only understand their roles, but also are willing to perform in a manner that supports the group’s dominant culture.

6. CAUSE

Successful pain practices know their cause, their mission, the reason the practice exists. Even the most mundane task can be passionately undertaken when team members understand how their actions contribute to the cause. In addition, successful practice managers make sure team members feel appreciated for their efforts.

7. CARE

Caring is the foundation for success. In all decisions, successful pain practices first ask: “Is it in the patient’s best interest?” Beyond that, every human encountered by the organization -patients, family members, hospital administrators, government regulators, insurance brokers, pharmaceutical representatives, colleagues, etc.- is worthy of dignity, respect, and care. The “golden rule” always comes before the rule of gold. Remember that no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

Each of the seven essentials for pain practice success is vital. Ignore one and the organization is on thin ice. Embrace them all and the practice, regardless of its size, can be on economical, clinical and ethical solid ground.

Then no one will have to “thank goodness” for what you do.
Instead, you can be thanked for the goodness that you do.

That is sweet success.

https://vimeo.com/channels/glms/68703810

James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM is a Past President of the Greater Louisville Medical Society, Medical Director of Murphy Pain Center, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He is board-certified in Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Addiction Medicine and has a Master of Medical Management from the USC Marshall School of Business.

*Note: This article was originally titled: The Five Essentials for Pain Practice Success. “Cost-effectiveness” was added on July 30, 2015; “Cooperation” was added on September 30, 2015; each prompting a change in the title.

April 6, 2015 by jamespmurphymd - 1 Comment

Treating Pain With Truth

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
~ John 8:32 (NIV)

…Pain free?

Confluential Truth blog posts address various issues, and many share a healthcare theme. Often the focus is on chronic pain. The following collection of Confluential Truth offers my views on how chronic pain may be effectively and safely treated, especially when the treatment involves controlled substances. Each essay is like a chapter in a mini-textbook about treating chronic pain. They are offered here hoping to provide insight into improving quality of life for pain sufferers and pain care providers.

PROLOGUE: The Algiatrist – To set the tone, a poem about treating pain and being “useful.”

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2013/11/22/the-algiatrist

CHAPTER ONE: The Dream of Pain Care – A transcript of my address to the physicians and staff of Norton Healthcare – the what, why & how. If you only have time to read one essay, this is the one.

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/04/25/the-dream-of-pain-care-enough-to-cope-the-seventeenth-r-dietz-wolfe-memorial-lecture

CHAPTER TWO: Pathway to Partnership, Part 1 (KY) – Here is how we do it in Kentucky when we do it right. https://jamespmurphymd.com/2015/02/13/pathway-to-partnership

CHAPTER THREE: Pathway to Partnership, Part 2 (IN) – Here is how we do it in Indiana when we do it right.

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2015/03/29/pathway-to-partnership-part-ii-in

CHAPTER FOUR: Are We In Agreement? – Expectations, edification and enlightenment result from properly implemented patient-physician “agreements.”

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/02/19/are-we-in-agreement

CHAPTER FIVE: Treating Pain Patients Like Addicts – There is ample overlap between optimal treatment for addiction and optimal treatment for chronic pain. Utilizing this knowledge can enhance the effectiveness and mitigate the risks inherent to treating chronic pain with controlled substances. https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/11/21/treating-pain-patients-like-addicts

CHAPTER SIX: Basic Pain Care Certification – It’s a sad fact the number of deaths associated with drug overdose is roughly equivalent to the number of motor vehicle fatalities. Imagine how many might die on our roads if, instead of a driver’s license, all you needed to drive a car was a prescription from a doctor. Now, imagine how many less might die of drug overdose if you had earn a “license” to use controlled substances…

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/08/06/basic-pain-care-certification

CHAPTER SEVEN: Strength in Numbers – Successful chronic pain treatment involves: (a) medical care; (b) counseling; and (c) a support system. Find all three and you have probably found…

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/07/02/strength-in-numbers

CHAPTER EIGHT: It’s Only Words – Over the years I have given many presentations concerning medication management for chronic pain. Often I have said that if there is only one concept I want the group to take away it’s that “addiction” and “physical dependence” are not the same thing.

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/04/03/its-only-words

CHAPTER NINE: Talking Trash – We spend much time worrying about the acquisition of pain medications but too often don’t know what to do with them when we are done.

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/07/21/talking-trash

CHAPTER TEN: Is There Method To This March Madness? – Too often our focus is on a specific drug, when in reality the culprit is the disease.

9 march madness https://jamespmurphymd.com/2014/03/18/is-there-method-to-this-march-madness

EPILOGUE: Proclaim Pain Care Providers Day! – Don’t just provide great pain care… Proclaim it!

https://jamespmurphymd.com/2015/01/22/proclaim-pain-care-providers-day

James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM is Chair of the Board of Governors -and Immediate Past President- of the Greater Louisville Medical Society, Medical Director of Murphy Pain Center, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Murphy contributes to numerous publications, has presented before national and international audiences, and consults with a wide spectrum of agencies and individuals regarding pain, addiction, and the future of healthcare in our country. He is board-certified in Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Addiction Medicine.

March 29, 2015 by jamespmurphymd - 4 Comments

Pathway to Partnership, Part II (IN)

THE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT’S GUIDE TO INDIANA’S REGULATIONS

No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. – John Donne

The poet, John Donne, knew it. Every Hoosier pain patient and Hoosier pain care provider should take it to heart. No patient or provider is an island. And pain care is best when there is a partnership between the patient and provider. The Pathway to Partnership If you are treated for pain in the Hoosier State the pathway to partnership with your physician passes through Indiana’s pain regulations. Indiana’s entire southern border is Kentucky. And when it comes to patient responsibilities, Kentucky’s pain regulations have much in common with Indiana’s. Therefore, Hoosier patients can begin preparation for their Indiana chronic pain care evaluation by reading my article: Pathway to Partnership, Part I (KY) – The Chronic Pain Patient’s Guide to Kentucky’s Regulations. Available at: https://jamespmurphymd.com/2015/02/13/pathway-to-partnership Particular to Indiana is the Hoosier state’s emphasis on medication dosing limits that trigger mandatory compliance with the regulations. Calculating these dosing limits can be quite confusing and, frankly, patients are not responsible for knowing them. Prescribers are. But to be a good “partner” with your prescriber, you should at least become familiar with these dosing limits. Later in this article I will summarize. But first, in order to hold up your end of the partnership, here are ten items you can prepare:

Your past medical history
Your pertinent medical records
An accurate medication list
Any substance abuse history
Your social and family history
Any other medical issues
Educate yourself for proper informed consent
Your current level of function
Your treatment goals
Complete questionnaires & mental health screens

These ten items are discussed in detail in Pathway to Partnership, Part I (KY) – The Chronic Pain Patient’s Guide to Kentucky’s Regulations. Prepare as described above you will be well on your way to becoming a great partner in your care. As your partnership continues, expect to have contact with your physician on a regular basis and even randomly to:

Review your progress with your treatment plan;
Review the goals of your plan; and
Review expectations (i.e. attending therapy, counseling, tests, etc.)

Insider Information As a partner, you are entitled to some “insider” information. Here it is… A new section of Indiana’s regulations contain a lengthy explanation of what prescribers must consider when ordering drug screens. By doing so, this section offers insight into appropriate patient behavior. The following list, summarized from the regulations, offers an insider’s look at what Indiana expects of a pain patient: “In determining whether a drug monitoring test…is medically necessary, the physician shall consider” if the patient has:

Taken the meds as prescribed?
Taken more meds than allowed?
Given or sold meds to anyone?
Benefitted from the meds?
Taken any other drugs – legal or illegal?
Been honest and up front about past drug use?
Tried to get early refills?
Lost meds? Had them stolen?
Had an abnormal INSPECT state prescription report?
Failed a drug screen?
Been intoxicated?
Been acting aggressive, depressed, anxious, etc.?
Been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition?
Demanded certain specific meds?
Had a major illness? Pregnancy? Hospitalization?
Been resistant to any changes in the care plan?
Refused or failed to follow through with exams/tests?
Just not done well overall?

Bottom line: Be honest, up front and “transparent.” No one likes surprises. A good partnership is all about trust and communication. Understand what your treatment agreement says and live up to it. Dosing Limits Now, about those dosing limits… As I said, it can be confusing, but you should try to understand the concepts and discuss them with your prescriber. Not all pain prescriptions are subject to the Indiana regulations. Therefore, it is important to understand the dosing limits that trigger mandatory compliance. These limits are dependent upon: (1) the dose, (2) the quantity and (3) the duration. The Morphine Equivalent Dose (“MED”) is basically how strong your medication would be if it were to be substituted for morphine. This is very important to INDIANA regulatory agencies. I highly recommend you learn how to calculate your MED. Calculating the MED Step ONE: Calculate the MED for one pill Determine the dose of morphine that would be equal to one of your pills using a standard conversion table (For example: a FIVE mgm hydrocodone pill is the same as a FIVE mgm morphine pill; but a FIVE mgm oxycodone pill would be the same as a 7.5 mgm morphine pill). Indiana officials recommend this website for help with making this determination: The online opioid calculator from GlobalRPH http://www.globalrph.com/narcoticonv.htm Step TWO: Calculate your DAILY MED Once you have converted your pill to its “morphine equivalent,” simply add up the maximum number of pills your prescription allows you to take in a day and multiply this number by the morphine equivalent (MED) you determined in step one. (Number of pills per day) x MED/one pill = Daily MED For example: Since a FIVE mgm hydrocodone pill is equal to a FIVE mgm morphine pill, the daily MED of someone taking THREE of these hydrocodone pills per day would be: 5 mgm x 3 pills per day = 15 mgm MED Here are some common ORALLY prescribed opioids that compare to a MED of 15: Hydrocodone (oral) 15 mgm/day = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Oxycodone(oral) 10 mgm/day = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Oxymorphone (oral) 5 mgm/day = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Codeine (oral) mgm/day = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Hydromorphone (oral) 3.75 mgm/day = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Tramadol (oral) 150 = 15 mgm of morphine (oral) Note: MED greater than SIXTY If you are on a treatment regimen with a morphine equivalent dose of more than SIXTY (60) MED, the physician may require you to have an evaluation by a specialist. According to the regulations, your physician must explain to you that there is an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including death, when your daily MED is greater than SIXTY. So now that you understand the MED, you are ready to look at the DOSING LIMITS that trigger compliance with the regulations. DOSE, QUANTITY & DURATION When any of the following conditions are met, your physician (and you) must comply with the Indiana pain regulations.

DOSE & DURATION >15 MED for >3 months

DAILY MED greater than FIFTEEN for DURATION of more than three consecutive months Or…

QUANTITY & DURATION >60 pills for >3 months

More than SIXTY opioid pills per month for DURATION of more than THREE consecutive months Or…

PATCHES > 3 months

Any opioid skin patches (e.g., fentanyl or buprenorphine), regardless of the dose or quantity, for DURATION of more than THREE consecutive months Or…

Hydrocodone-Only Extended Release

Any hydrocodone-only extended release medication that is NOT in an “abuse deterrent” form, regardless of the DOSE, QUANTITY or DURATION Or…

TRAMADOL (My advice) >150 mgm for >3 months

Actual language in the regulations state: “If the patient’s tramadol dose reaches a morphine equivalent dose of more than sixty (60) milligrams per day for more than three (3) consecutive months.” This tramadol dose limit seems to be overly generous when compared to other MED dosing limits. A SIXTY (60) MGM MED of tramadol is in the range of 300 to 600 mgm of tramadol. Considering that the maximum therapeutic dose for tramadol is only 400 mgm per day, one could potentially exceed the safe upper limit of tramadol and still not exceed Indiana’s dosing limit. This seems to be inconsistent with the regulation’s other opioid dosing limits. My advice: Since 150 mgm of tramadol is equivalent to a FIFTEEN (15) MED, I believe it is more consistent with the other Indiana opioid dosage limits to consider TRAMADOL greater than 150 mgm/day for more than THREE consecutive months as the dosage limit congruent with other opioid dosage limits. Reference: The online opioid calculator from GlobalRPH http://www.globalrph.com/narcoticonv.htm Wait!!! There are EXEMPTIONS !!! Regardless of the dose, quantity or duration, the Indiana pain regulations do not apply to these patients: (1) With a terminal condition (2) Residing in a licensed health facility (3) Enrolled in a licensed hospice program (4) Enrolled in a licensed palliative care program In summary, patients and physicians should travel the pathway to partnership together. Patients can do their part by (1) preparing for the clinical visits, (2) understanding and adhering to their treatment agreements, and (3) educating themselves about risks, side-effects, and legal aspects of their care. It is a real challenge to treat chronic pain in this day and age. Your physician needs your help. Will you leave it all up to your physician? Or will you be a good partner, heeding the words of the poet Donne… And therefore never send to know For whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. * James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM is Chair of the Board of Governors -and Immediate Past President- of the Greater Louisville Medical Society, Medical Director of Murphy Pain Center, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Murphy contributes to numerous publications, has presented before national and international audiences, and consults with a wide spectrum of agencies and individuals regarding pain, addiction, and the future of healthcare in our country. He is board-certified in Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Addiction Medicine. * References and links pertaining to this article are provided in the comments. * This unofficial summary is my personal opinion. A full, official version of the final rule should be consulted for compliance purposes at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20141105-IR-844140289FRA.xml.html The Indian State Medical Association also has a summary available at: http://www.ismanet.org/pdf/legal/IndianaPainManagementPrescribingFinalRuleSummary.pdf And if you really want to explore the Indiana pain regulations in detail, there is no better source than the online guide: First Do No Harm, The Indiana Healthcare Providers Guide to the Safe, Effective Management of Chronic Non-Terminal Pain. http://www.in.gov/bitterpill/docs/First_Do_No_Harm_V_1_0.pdf * Hey Hoosier! Who’s your partner? * * *

December 17, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 1 Comment

‘Twas the Fight in Our Clinic

It was right before clinic and all through morn,
Not a patient was hurting, nor feeling forlorn.
The stocking of meds on the shelves was with care,
In hopes that ridiculous pain would be rare.
The front desk was nestled all snug in their seats,
Collecting the copays while smiling so sweet.
And I in my lab coat, scrub top, and a glove,
Had just settled in for the job that I love.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and covered the cash.
A man on a quest, who did not like a “no,”
Gave bluster and chaos to our status quo.
When what to my watering eyes did appear?
But my signature forged on a pad that was near.
The villain prescriber had written so quick,
I knew in a moment it must be some trick.
I asked him his name and just why he had come,
But all he could say was he had to be on…

On Morphine, on Codeine, on Oxy, on Contin,
On Soma, on Xanax, and lots of Neurontin!
Don’t stop for the chart. Don’t stop in the hall.
Now right away! Right away! Write for it all !!!

As dry heaves that before a wild emesis fly,
When I met this intruder I thought I could die.
So onto the restroom I coerced him to…
Pee into a cup that might give me a clue.
But then, in his tinkling, I heard through his bleating,
The faucet, the flushing and knew he was cheating.
As I pulled back my hand and was turning around,
Through the window the specimen came with a bound.

I was stressed by his sight, and I thought for a while,
That his clothes were an orangey prisoner style.
A stencil of words were in print on his back,
When I asked him about it he called me a quack.

His lies, how repugnant; how simple his tally –
Prescription pain pills to sell in the back alley !!!

He had a clear package tied up with a bow,
And the powder inside was as white as the snow.
A piece of lead pipe he held tight in his hand,
And he swung it at me as he started to stand.
He had a gaunt face and not much of a belly,
And I shook when he laughed ‘cause his breath was so smelly.
He was stealing prescriptions, I thought to myself,
And I cringed when I saw him reach into the shelf.

A wink of his eye and a poke to my head,
Soon gave me to know I had something to dread.
He said he had come to us straight from his “work,”
And turned ’round to face me and called me a jerk.
He gave me the finger, then fingered my nose,
‘Til both of my nurses, they stomped on his toes.
He sprang to his car when we asked about jail,
And away he did run with the cops on his tail.
But he heard me exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

No prescriptions for you, because we do it right!

While drug diversion is certainly no laughing matter, I couldn’t resist poking a little fun at some of the bumblers who have chosen this “career” path.

Here’s hoping that you have a joyous and pain-free holiday season!

September 8, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 3 Comments

Dawn of the planet of the value based

It is the dawn of a new era.

Many cogs are now required to turn the wheels of our nation’s juggernaut health care industry. Physicians, historically the driving force in medicine, are not generally the “cog” type. This juxtaposition can have unhealthy consequences for all of us.

In his August Wall Street Journal article “Why Doctors Are Sick of Their Profession,” Dr. Sandeep Jauhar documented the pathology in our nation’s medical history. And while I agree with the good doctor’s diagnosis, I am not as comfortable with his treatment plan, which includes:

“giving rewards for patient satisfaction”
“replace the current fee-for-service system with payment methods such as bundled payment, in which doctors on a case are paid a lump sum to divide among themselves”
“pay for performance, which offers incentives for good health outcomes.”

At first glance, Dr. Jauhar’s suggestions would appear to be reasonable measures. But employing such metrics may not sit well with our current physician workforce for a number of valid reasons.

In days past, the medical profession attracted highly intelligent practical dreamers in search of a career that allowed and rewarded unfettered blending of art and science; answering a “calling” that revered the heartfelt patient-physician relationship. If you were a “Renaissance man” or woman, crossing medicine’s threshold felt like coming home. Now in this modern medical renaissance, home is not necessarily where the heart is. Home is now inhabited by impostors masquerading as quality and value.

In days past, creativity and problem solving were vital to success in health care. Now strict adherence to guidelines, meeting quotas, and saving money for third party payers are paramount. Now the “rough spots” in the delivery line -physicians who view patients as individuals as opposed to populations – are being made smooth or else discarded.

Given a metric that determines their “bonus,” worker bees will instinctively aim for that mark. So if earning money to send their kids to college depends on getting a “five star” customer satisfaction rating, then expect health care professionals to make flashing a salesman’s smile the priority. Running a clinic on time will become more important than taking time to comfort that patient who’s problem unexpectedly deserves more attention than the automated schedule allowed…can’t risk upsetting twenty people for the sake of one, you know.

The story goes that Albert Einstein once wrote on his blackboard: Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.

Regardless of the origin, this statement rings with truth. More than an observation, it is a challenge.

I held a hand the other day. There was no procedure code for it. It did not satisfy any quality metric. Truth be told, it was probably more beneficial and more appreciated than the epidural injection that preceded it.

We are living in the dawn of the planet of the value based. Students now embarking upon their medical school journey will emerge light years away from where they began. When they graduate and step into the blinding sunlight of the real world, will they even recognize it?

Or, as in the climactic scene from Planet of the Apes – when Charlton Heston’s character realized man’s demise was his own doing – will they cry out…

You finally really did it!

You maniacs!

You blew it up!

I hope not.

I will do what I can.

But, then again, I am a rough spot.

September 3, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 1 Comment

White is the new look for fall

On July 28, 2013, the University of Louisville welcomed the Class of 2017 medical students. As an annual contribution to each new generation of emerging physicians, the Greater Louisville Medical Society purchases the students’ first white coat. As President, it was my honor to congratulate the students on behalf of the Greater Louisville Medical Society. Here are my remarks from the podium.

“I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure.”

Fans of the author J.R.R. Tolkein, will recognize this as the challenge Gandalf the wizard made to the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. This is, among other things, an adventure.

I am honored to be here on behalf your medical society – The Greater Louisville Medical Society – to congratulate you on this milestone. At close to 4000 members, we are one of the largest in country. Our mission is to: promote medicine as art and science, advocate for the wellness of our community, and protect the patient – physician relationship.

Today is a big day for you and for us. Today is a milestone along the road that will lead to a your joining our ranks. Today you are not only putting on your white coats, but you are also becoming members of the Greater Louisville Medical Society. To help you stay connected you will have access to our mobile app, where you can get alerts, educational materials, and access information about your new GLMS colleagues. As sponsors of the White Coat Ceremony, your medical society colleagues are honored to provide: your first white coat, provide, your medical society pin, membership in the Greater Louisville Medical Society, professional photographic portrait of you in your new white coat. We are your colleagues, here to support you, and we welcome you.

The Greater Louisville Medical Society has strong ties to the University of Louisville. Most of our members either graduated from the University or did post-graduate training there. I am proud to call myself a graduate of the University of Louisville Medical School Class of 1985.

Back when I was in your shoes, we did not have a white coat ceremony. Back then they wouldn’t let us wear a white coat until third year, much less actually touch a living patient. I wish we could have had a ceremony like this. That is why I invited my own family to come today. This is a special day for you and for your family and friends who have supported you. To these special people in your life, I also offer my congratulations and my gratitude.

Gratitude, yes, because you have chosen a path that is not easy and does not compensate you materially for the years spent, the sacrifices, the risks – financial, physical, emotional. But it is indeed an adventure.

As I look out upon you I see a discovery. I see a cure. I see lives saved from disaster. I see longer, better, meaningful lives. I see a suicide prevented. I see a critically ill baby saved. I see an aneurysm removed. I see a heart murmur discovered. I see a cancer detected because you followed up on the red blood cells you saw in the urinalysis report.

I also see heartache, depression, fractured lives, and failures. It is all part of the path you have chosen to follow. You may not know all the reasons why you are sitting here today. I don’t think I knew. But every day, from this day forward you will be finding answers.

The white coat itself is significant. I remember the day I finally got mine. We walked around the medical complex and even went to eat lunch in one of the hospital cafeterias. In my 3^rd year of medical school Dean Ganzel was my attending on rotation through Otolaryngology. On the last day she, so graciously, took her four medical students to lunch. We ate lunch at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in our white coats. The coat meant something. It said something to the world.

I have worn many white coats since them – short, long, in between – but whenever I put on the coat it still has meaning. It speaks. So I wondered what the message would be if instead of me, my white coat could says a few words. Well, my white coat and I discussed it and now, on behalf of my white coat, I offer this:

a white coat
I symbolize
the goals you hope
to realize

a white coat
my color’s pure
to show your values
will endure

a white coat
I will glisten
if you can try
to mostly listen

a white coat
in my presence
comfort, care and
convalescence

a white coat
wear this fashion
only if
you share my passion

a white coat
for my profession
put patients first
make no concession

a white coat
answer alarm
with answers that
first do no harm

a white coat
hear the calling
wear me when
you lift the falling

a white coat
my fabric must
be nothing but
a weave of trust

a white coat
ability
tailored with
humility

a white coat
a solemn oath
a way of life
or maybe both

a white coat
I’m going to
forever be
a part of you

Dean Ganzel, colleagues, friends and families, Mom, I thank you for this day. And to the class of 2017, I congratulate you and welcome you. For those who hear this calling there is no greater professional honor than to wear that white coat and hear the words, “That’s my doctor.”

Looking out at you, it is clear that I have found someone to share in an adventure.

… and the white look is very becoming, I must say.

This year’s White Coat Ceremony was held on July 27, 2014 and is the subject of current GLMS President, Dr. Bruce Scott’s September eVoice.

August 26, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 6 Comments

National Pain Care Providers Day

Every dog has his day, right?

In our culture, groups, individuals, and even inanimate objects are frequently honored with their very own special twenty-four hours. These days of recognition give us pauses to examine their meanings and further their causes.

But there’s a compassionate and deserving group of people who have not yet made the list…the caring people who treat our pain.

For now, National Pain Care Providers Day is only a dream.

It doesn’t exist.

It should.
It can.
And it will…with your help.

National Pain Care Providers Day
March 20, 2015

It’s time to recognize all who generously and selflessly strive to alleviate suffering. This includes physicians, dentists, nurses, therapists, emergency responders, trainers, masseuses, pharmacists, caregivers, mothers and anyone who gives of her or himself to ease pain.

Why is National Pain Care Providers Day necessary?

Pain is universal. It is the most common medical complaint. There is no escaping it. Pain touches every life. And as our population continues to age, pain is occurring in epidemic proportion.

Pain care is sometimes simple and sometimes extremely complicated. Caregivers can feel tremendous pressure from government agencies, police, lawyers, administrators, addicts, abusers, patients, families, administrators, insurance providers, and the media. As a result, caregivers are too often reduced to feeling “You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

In reality, they should be praised because of what they do.

Caregivers who persevere deserve our support, gratitude and, at the very least, a day of recognition.

Popular opinions regarding pain care and treatments are evolving rapidly. Taking a special day to spotlight best practices and inspire possibilities would not only bolster the advancement of this vital field of medicine, it would encourage the legions of those who suffer in lonely silence. Less suffering and better lives for all are the goals.

Celebrating National Pain Care Providers Day on March 20, 2015 – the first day of spring – is akin to celebrating hope. From this day forward, the vernal equinox, light overcomes darkness.

So let’s join together and recognize the first day of spring, March 20, 2015, as National Pain Care Providers Day. Let’s make this day special for the special people who treat our pain. Start by sharing your comments and ideas on this blog and/or emailing paincareprovidersday@gmail.com. Pass along the message on social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and contact your civic leaders. Be a vital part of this movement.

Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew and dog will have his day.
~ William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

You are the playwright now.
The parchment is blank.
Imagine.
Create.

And celebrate!

National Pain Care Providers Day
March 20, 2015

July 21, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 1 Comment

Talking Trash

On July 8, 2014, the Louisville Courier-Journal ran a front-page article about how hard it is to find a drug disposal drop-off in Louisville. No mention was made of trashing the leftover meds. Here is the letter to the editor I sent in response on July 10, 2014.

Dear Courier-Journal,

Drug abuse is epidemic. So no one should trash talk about Martha Elson’s excellent article, Drug Disposal Boosted by Boxes. But the trash is exactly where leftover abusable drugs can go. Ms. Elson exposed the number one suppliers of abused pills, and surprisingly, it’s not the doctors. It’s you and me. In fact, about two-thirds of all abused pills come from family and friends, often right out of unlocked medicine cabinets. As a specialist in Pain Medicine and Addiction, I require my patients to lock up their medications and properly dispose of any leftovers. But with so few drug drop-off boxes available, what’s a responsible person to do?

Trash them!

Yes, if you can’t get to a drop-off box, the FDA says it is acceptable to throw your old medications in the trash, provided you first “doctor them up” a bit. Simply mix the pills with kitty litter or coffee grounds. Seal it in a leak-proof bag (like a zip-lock) and toss it in the garbage. Easy.

The more potent the drug is, the greater the need for disposal of the unused leftovers. The FDA has even determined that the danger from keeping unused powerful narcotics is so ominous, that flushing leftovers down the toilet is acceptable when a drop-off box is unavailable.

The Environmental Protection Agency is OK with this policy. And the FDA says there has been no indication of adverse environmental effects due to flushing leftover pills.

However, leftover pills do contribute to adverse societal effects. About one-fourth of high school age youth have abused prescription drugs. Approximately three Americans die every hour of every day from a drug overdose. More Kentuckians die from overdose than die in automobile accidents. A very large percentage of these overdose deaths involve prescription drugs.

Ms. Elson’s timely article brought to light the progress we are making. More and more drug drop-offs are becoming available. We should take advantage of them when we can. But please do not let your busy schedule, your concern for the environment, or your unfamiliarity with regulations deter you from properly disposing your unused medications. We are battling a drug abuse epidemic. People are dying. Make sure you are not an unwitting supplier. You may save the life of someone you love… And that’s not talking trash.

July 15, 2014 by jamespmurphymd - 2 Comments

Is it the singer or is it the song?

I love music.

I am not what one might call “musical.” I don’t have the pipes of a Whitney Houston (see: The Star Spangled Banner) or the soulfulness of a Bob Dylan (see: Blowing in the Wind), but I appreciate their unique virtuosity.

I am a pain care physician. Pain, like music, is a sensory and emotional experience. I don’t sing or play. I touch and treat.

Sometimes I may hit the perfect note, perform the perfect procedure, compose the perfect plan of care.

Other times, despite being well versed, my plan of care may not strike the right chord. Then creating a pleasant sensory and emotional experience depends upon the passion and conviction with which my care is conducted; my song is sung.

Is it the singer or is it the song?

Is it the caregiver or is it the care given?

Music is not only intertwined with my pain care. It is woven into every aspect of my life, including my Twitter feed.

Begging the question: Is it the tweeter or is it the tweet?

Let’s find out.

For a about a year I have been composing a Twitter message or two per day. Recently, I went back and was able to find forty tweets that were “musical” in some way. It may not be America’s top forty, but I think Casey Kasem would still have been pleased.

There are songs from rock, country, and classical genres; from musicals, commercials, television, and the silver screen. Some are serious; some are silly. Original works, live performances, even parodies.

I now invite you to take a little journey through my musical tweets. Click on the image and the link should take you right to the performance. See if you can guess the song before you link to it. Ponder how it relates to the message. Enjoy the sensory and emotional experience. And decide for yourself…

Is it the tweeter or is it the twuuth* ?

* twuuth (definition)

noun\ˈtwüth\ the twuuth : the truth in a tweet

#40

25 October 2013 How the Ghost Stole Pain Care. Dramatic reading by Phil Ward and music composed by Megan McIver

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/393876826809843712/photo/1

http://vimeo.com/77715467

#39

21 December 2013 A Winter’s Solstice

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/414443104792354816?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh_sckAUkgE&list=PLe1seBFJFklgHIqjjUUUhxZmL_rchZau9

#38

10 January 2014 Act Naturally

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/421697528891854848/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-07qmTUi9A

#37

12 January 2014 Les Miserables

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/422410734950043648/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPIos2mXbUE

#36

26 January 2014 I’m Only Sleeping

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/427318581399789569/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KAsr-hix9s

#35

10 February 2014 The Gold and Beyond

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/433042987648417792?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hBB4DPw-h4

#34

12 February 2014 ABC

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/433632926316515329/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8GvDLDYhNM

#33

12 February 2014 Hearing Winter

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/433655563193286656/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaXGGPVNnxU

#32

17 February 2014 The Way We Were

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/435621354222526464/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VhNaXV8K4U

#31

17 February 2014 Peace of Mind

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/435639476686045184/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5ZL8qvEmR0

#30

21 February 2014 Doctor Pat

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/437033465536462849/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vuUpSnPXz0

#29

22 February 2014 Honesty

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/437388430465462273/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gOIt-M02A

#28

2 March 2014 My Bologna

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/440310294867234816/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPRHJd3uHI

#27

5 March 2014 Oklahoma

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/441273659001286657/photo/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbrnXl2gO_k

#26

14 March 2014 Hair

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/444682878396293120?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qf2R-1saDQ

#25

29 March 2014 Stupid

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/449943660134555649?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ers0YPoMxbk

#24

4 April 2014 Words

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/452173873299980291?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr-WW5abcwQ

#23

7 April 2014 Oops

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/453267038077984768?refsrc=email

http://vimeo.com/54035300

#22

9 April 2014 Call On Me

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/453922140312440833?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh86uSsux1M&feature=kp

#21

17 April 2014 Lights Went Out

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/456764575258402816?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSSJwKixbKU

#20

19 April 2014 Little Wonders

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/457546932161110016?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWU8_uUJJu0

#19

28 April 2014 Undun

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/460961322163642368?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzSLxYLuJhI

#18

15 May 2014 I’m Sorry

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/467135943741157378?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a_vhiBxi90

#17

5 June 2014 Let It Go

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/474655637620535296?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtAG3e3JLNI

#16

5 June 2014 We Will Never Be Doctors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxyNzqQNa50

#15

7 June 2014 Daniel Boone

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/475246656968200192?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLMCO-JZqWs

#14

10 June 2014 Turn It Off

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/476212528289038336?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjCfE1n6nW4&list=PLf470HqOWw3d8Oj5uAXPV19yJ7E7aGDwX&index=163

#13

27 June 2014 Don’t Stop Me Now

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/477316980274237440?refsrc=email

http://vimeo.com/30126989

#12

14 June 2014 It’s a Grand Old Flag

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/477902903290515457/photo/1

http://fan.tcm.com/_James-Cagney-You39re-a-Grand-Old-Flag/video/1146300/66470.html?createPassive=true

#11

15 June 2014 In the Living Years

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/478362296126013440?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWiwde4z9Qk

#10

16 June 2014 Pressure

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/478599157926473728?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJCTgtDU-74

21 June 2014 Sunrise

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/480542585535352832?refsrc=email

http://vimeo.com/88197078

27 June 2014 Listen

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/482653910616666112?refsrc=email

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5aRRq9mquo

29 June 2014 Rumor Has It

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/483451855125479424/photo/1

http://vimeo.com/41795630

1 July 2014 The Letter

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/484055472618500096

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrv9slgO7Ic

2 July 2014 All Together Now

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/484446529210445824

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpW8g83g6E

4 July 2014 Dialogue

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/484941146976567296

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTL53bmYqzM

4 July 2014 Danger Zone

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/484955780253106177

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58QOBqAWNzE

6 July 2014 If You Want It Here It Is

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/485956691708477442

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWbTZuEWjnc

And the #1 musical tweet in the land is…

7 July 2014 Everybody Hurts

https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd/status/486224816618213376

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZRCIrTgQc

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