Since 2012, the Ventura County Rx Abuse and Heroin Workgroup has been committed to working with local agency and community partners to reduce epidemic-level opioid misuse and fatal overdoses. Working together, we are making a measurable difference locally to individuals, to families, and to our community.
SAFE PRESCRIBING TOOLKIT RX MAILER
In October 2019, over 4,000 Ventura County Medical and Dental prescribers of medication received educational Rx mailings to update them on best practices for prescribing opioids and to share CURES registration tips. We are reaching out to prescribers to share information and materials that assist with patient communications. The items in this toolkit may be copied and shared with your staff, colleagues and patients. We encourage you to bookmark this website, Ventura County Responds, which features regularly updated resources for prescribers and patients.
- Quick Reference for Healthcare Providers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Pregnancy and Opioid Pain Medications Factsheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, English
- Pregnancy and Opioid Pain Medications Factsheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Spanish
- Prescription Opioids: What You Need to Know, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, English
- Prescription Opioids: What You Need to Know, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Spanish
- Safe Prescribing Toolkit, Mailing Intro Letter to Medical Prescribers
- Safe Prescribing Toolkit, Mailing Intro Letter to Dentists
- What You Need to Know about Monitoring your Prescriptions, CURES Information Sheet
SAFE PRESCRIBING RESOURCES
- HHS.Gov/Opioids website
- HHS Announces Guide for Appropriate Tapering or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Use, October 10, 2019
- HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics, October 2019
WE CHECK because WE CARE
Patients, family members and prescribers all benefit from the WE CHECK policy and messaging starting at the clinic door. Eye-catching decals remind the public that health and safety increase when prescription histories are verified.
“Not only is there lower drug-seeking behavior, but patients express appreciation for the care taken.”
– Clinic Staff After “WE CHECK” Launch
