Prescribers are key to creating change in our community.
Thanks to exceptional local collaboration, Ventura County has seen a decrease in opioid prescribing in recent years – a 24% reduction between 2017 and 2020 – as providers have employed safe prescribing practices and increased use of non-narcotic pain management strategies.
Unfortunately, overdose deaths continue to climb, largely due to illegal fentanyl, which has replaced much of the local heroin use and is contributing to the rising number of overdose emergencies. As a concerned local provider, we invite you to join the Prescriber Discussion Series:
- Hear from local experts and discuss with peers the latest trends and best practices.
- Get provider-focused resources to reduce misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD).
- Learn the new State guidelines and latest tools for patient care and provider coordination.
Connecting because we care. For our patients and for our community.
PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS
Latest Trends in Overdose: What Prescribers Need to Know About Illicit Fentanyl
May 11, 2022 • 5:30–7:30 PM
The CDC estimates that up to 83% of opioid overdose deaths in 2020 involved synthetic opioids. Join the discussion with other local medical leaders on what this means for local communities. Prescribers are key to preventing opioid misuse by patients that can progress to an opioid use disorder (OUD), illicit fentanyl use and subsequent death. If you are dedicated to improving health outcomes and patient well-being, please join the discussion.
Note: This session includes local law enforcement data on current illicit drug trends, terminology, and access, as well as provider tips for effectively communicating with patients at risk of opioid misuse or overdose.
PRESENTED BY
- Chris Young, MD, Ventura County Chief Medical Examiner
- Tipu V. Khan, MD, FAAFP, FASAM; Addiction Medicine Fellowship Director, VCMC
- Sergeant John Hajducko, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
Evidence-based Safe Prescribing
June 8, 2022 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Join us for a review of local opioid prescribing trends. We’ll discuss how safe prescribing and use of CURES can prevent or reduce opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) in our patients. Hear from Tipu Khan MD, an author of the newest California Guidelines for Safe Opioid Prescribing, on how to utilize the newest guidelines in our practices. Learn how other local Primary Care and Pain Management Specialist use effective safe prescribing strategies to treat patients at risk of opioid misuse or opioid use disorder (OUD).
PRESENTED BY
- Tipu V. Khan, MD, FAAFP, FASAM; Addiction Medicine Fellowship Director, VCMC
- Kyle Stephens, DO, Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care
- George Chang Chien, DO, Director of Pain Management, Ventura County Medical Center
Deprescribing is Good Prescribing
August 31, 2022 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Just as safe prescribing is an integral and effective strategy to prevent opioid use disorder, safe deprescribing is also key. In this workshop, we’ll discuss when, and how to safely and effectively taper patients from opioid usage. Is the deprescribing plan not working? Let’s talk about how to talk with patients about opioid use disorder and effective referrals to substance use treatment.
PRESENTED BY
- Tipu V. Khan, MD, FAAFP, FASAM; Addiction Medicine Fellowship Director, VCMC
- Kyle Stephens, DO, Family Medicine Specialist, Primary Care
- George C. Chang Chien, DO, Director of Pain Management, Ventura County Medical Center
PERSON-CENTERED STRATEGIES TO REDUCE OPIOID OVERDOSE
September 21, 2022 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Join the discussion on how as leaders in health care we can do our part in reversing the current opioid overdose death trend in our community. Learn more about the latest advances in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, how new approaches to integrated care and cutting-edge harm reduction strategies
can reduce overdoses in our community. Discuss how to educate patients on what they can do to prevent opioid misuse.
PRESENTED BY
- Loretta L. Denering, DrPH, MS; Assistant Director, Ventura County Behavioral Health
- Rachel McDuffee, PsyD; Regional Director Aegis Treatment Centers
- Tipu V. Khan, MD, FAAFP, FASAM; Addiction Medicine Fellowship Director, VCMC
For more information: Ashley.Nettles@ventura.org
PREVIOUS TRAININGS & EVENTS
- National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit 2019
- Western States Opioid Summit, San Diego - November 7 & 8, 2019
- COAST Year One Progress Event - November 12, 2019
- National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit 2018
- Opioid Solutions Summit - August 29, 2017
- Ventura County’s Benzodiazepine Performance Improvement Project Award, CAPH/SNI Annual Conference - December 7, 2016
- Informing the Community: Plane of Pills Media Event - May 18, 2016
- Safe Pain Medicine Prescribing Policy Launched Countywide - January 29, 2015
SUPPORTING PRESCRIBERS WITH TRAINING
Prescribers may underestimate the risks of opioid addiction while overestimating painkiller benefits. The Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup offers prescribers, hospitals and clinics up-to-date information and training for safe prescribing and on-site patient education. Safe prescriber education addresses the opioid epidemic by training prescribers to respond before opioids are prescribed. See the Safe Prescribing Toolkit.
When opioids are used, start low and go slow:
- Assess pain and function
- Consider if non-opioid therapies are appropriate
- Talk to patients about treatment plan
- Evaluate risk of harm of misuses
- Identify drug misuse/addiction
- Query CURES 2.0 to confirm patient information
