Study Links Guidelines to Drop in Opioid Dosages, Deaths

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefThe number of prescriptions for opioids written for injured workers in Washington state and the number of opioid-related deaths both decreased after the state introduced opioid-dosing guidelines in 2007, according to a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.The Washington Agency Medical Director's Group convened an advisory group in 2006 to develop dosing guidelines in response to an emerging epidemic of deaths from prescription opioids. The group represents all public payers in the state, including the Department of Labor & In...