About
It’s no secret that opioid use disorder and deaths related to opioid overdose have become an epidemic in the U.S. In looking at comprehensive models to address this epidemic, a crucial piece is limiting exposure to opioids for patients who never needed them in the first place. ALTernative to Opioids (ALTO) programs focus on presenting evidence-based non-opioid pain management strategies for patients with mild to moderate acute, or acute on chronic pain episodes.
Objectives
After this presentation, participants should be able to:
- Describe the history of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. and the three main pillars that must be addressed to combat it.
- Explain the goals and principals that drive an ALTO (Alternative to Opioids) program.
- Use Alternatives to Opioids – including anti-inflammatories, lidocaine, trigger point injections and other non-opioid medications. These can be first and second-line treatments for low back pain, renal colic, headaches, musculoskeletal pain Use effective language and phrases to successfully discuss the selection of non-opioid medications in the treatment of mild to moderate or chronic pain with patients.
Speaker
Alicia Gonzalez (Kurtz), M.D., emergency medicine medical director, Marian Regional Medical Center, and regional director, CA Bridge Program
Dr. Alicia Mikolaycik Gonzalez (Kurtz) is the medical director of the Emergency Department at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA. She is also a regional director for the CA Bridge Program, helping establish emergency department-based medication for addiction treatment (MAT) programs in hospitals across California. She is the physician champion for opioid stewardship for Dignity Health and the host of the Real Talk Podcast, helping providers share stories of their human experiences working in medicine. She is passionate about shifting the culture of health care toward treating patients and providers with more compassion and bringing joy back to the bedside. Outside of medicine, she loves travel adventures, trying new things, her amazingly supportive partner Marco, yoga and all things Trader Joe’s.
Who should attend
Opioid stewardship pilot project participants and health care professionals who are interested in learning about ways to improve their organization’s opioid stewardship program, including pharmacists, mental health and addiction providers, physicians and nurses.
Continuing education
As an ABMS Portfolio Program Sponsor, MHA can help attending physicians and physician assistants receive continuing certification (MOC) credit from their respective specialty board for work related to opioid stewardship, including participation in this webinar.
The program has been designed to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing continuing education requirements for a total of 1 contact hour.
Fee
- Complimentary for MHA members
- $35 per person for associate members
- $75 per person for nonmembers
Registration deadline
Please register by 5 p.m. on July 21 to ensure timely delivery of access instructions.
Approximately four business days before the web conference, you will receive an email that contains instructions on how to connect. Advance registration is required to ensure delivery of instructional materials.
If you do not receive an email prior to the program with web conference details, please contact Kimberley Huntington to confirm your registration.
Save the date for future Opioid Stewardship Series webinars
- Part Five: Aug. 26, 1-2 p.m.
- Part Six: Sept. 9, 1-2 p.m.