Episode #33 High Truths with Dr. La Pietra and Alternative to Opioids for PainEpisode #33 High Truths with Dr. La Pietra and Alternative to Opioids for Pain
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Perhaps 100 young people may be prescribed opioid pain killers for extracts wisdom teeth or a broken bone and only a handful may feel a strong pull of addiction after a single pill. The problem is we do not know who that vulnerable handful is. That is why prevention of exposure is important. It does not mean prohibition of opioids, but it does mean innovations in pain management that avoid opioids when possible. The opioid epidemic has a silver lining. It engaged the medical community in solution. All medical specialties have been activated in the issue of addiction and pain. And the medical community is rallying – with solutions and innovation in managing pain better with less addiction. Alexis M. LaPietra, DO, FACEP Dr. Alexis LaPietra is System Chief for Pain Management and Addiction Medicine as well as the Fellowship Director of the Emergency Medicine Pain Management Fellowship and Emergency Medicine Addiction Medicine Fellowship at St Joseph’s Health in NJ. She created the St Joseph’s Health Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO SM) program and founded the Pain Management/Addiction Medicine Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). She has been involved in multiple national educational initiatives with ACEP and is the current Chair for the PACED (Pain and Addiction Care in the ED) Accreditation Program. In 2016 she received the Emergency Care Innovation of the Year Award from G.W. University Center for Healthcare Innovation as well as the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians Practice Innovation Award. Dr. LaPietra’s work has been highlighted in The Annals of Emergency Medicine, NPR, NBC, The New York Times, Fox News, and CNN. Her work was the basis for the “ALTO in the ED Act,” part of the legislation included in the H.R.6- SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act signed into law by President Trump in October 2018.
1:03:34•9 Aug 2021
Dr. La Pietra’s Groundbreaking Pain Management Techniques: Beyond Opioids
“We were actually able to really relieve that suffering and treat that pain. And I think you know, with the effort in the emergency department, but all the medical specialties, I say, we've really at this point ended the opioid prescription epidemic because a number of prescriptions have gone down with these innovations from various medical specialties.”
Imagine getting a prescription for pain relief and ending up with an addiction problem. It’s a scary thought, but one that Dr. Alexis La Pietra tackles head-on in this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction'. Hosted by Dr. Roneet Lev, this episode dives into innovative methods to manage pain without relying on opioids. Dr.
La Pietra, a leader in pain management and addiction medicine, discusses her Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) program, which aims to reduce opioid prescriptions by providing effective alternatives. Dr. La Pietra shares how different medical specialties are coming together to combat the opioid crisis, emphasizing the importance of holistic care and treating the root cause of pain. She provides practical strategies for managing common pain scenarios like kidney stones and dental issues without resorting to opioids.
Her approach is not just about avoiding opioids but about offering comprehensive care that addresses both pain and potential addiction risks. One of the key takeaways from this episode is the need for unity among healthcare providers to fight bias and stigma in pain management. Dr. La Pietra’s passion for this cause is evident as she discusses how these innovations are helping to lower the number of opioid prescriptions and ultimately save lives.
Whether you’re someone dealing with chronic pain, a healthcare provider, or just curious about the opioid epidemic, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can better manage pain and prevent addiction. Tune in to learn more about these groundbreaking techniques and how they are making a difference.
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