Michigan Pain Consultants Clinic Closure

Jul 17, 2024

Dear OPEN Community,

It has come to our attention that Michigan Pain Consultants, a large pain management group with multiple practices in West Michigan, has filed for bankruptcy and will be closing in August 2024.

This closure will increase demand for complex pain management services from primary care clinicians in the region. The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN), with support from the Michigan Center for Clinical Systems Improvement (MI-CCSI), would like to share practice tips and resources to support you in responding to this challenging situation and enable safe transitions in care for affected patients.

• Do not abruptly taper or discontinue chronic opioids. 
  • Abrupt tapers or discontinuation can trigger withdrawal and be unsafe for patients. Because of the unpleasant effects of withdrawal, patients may turn to using illicit opioids, which are often contaminated with fentanyl.
• Do not abruptly taper or discontinue benzodiazepines. 
  • While benzodiazepine use with opioids increases the risk of overdose, acute discontinuation of benzodiazepines is dangerous and can increase morbidity and mortality. Tapering of benzodiazepines in patients with long-term use often takes months to years.
• Take appropriate steps to enable safe transitions in pain care.
  • When establishing care, ensure patients have stable access to their existing opioid prescription medication and then work together with the patient to create a long-term plan.
  • It may be appropriate to maintain the patient’s current dosing until a therapeutic relationship is established, which can take weeks or months.
  • Verify current opioid medication and dosage using the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database (PDMP) and any available medical records or pill bottles.
  • Ensure patients are maximizing use of non-opioid alternatives.
  • Offer naloxone to all patients who are prescribed opioids, particularly patients who are at an increased risk for opioid overdose.
• Consider universally screening patients for risky substance use using a standardized screening tool and treat opioid use disorder following evidence-based practice. 
  • If you have questions about opioid use disorder or other substance use disorder management, utilize OPEN’s free same-day consultation service for clinicians. Services are available Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding holidays.
  • The Michigan Center for Clinical Systems Improvement (MI-CCSI) also has chronic pain and substance use disorder programs and trainings available on their website for clinicians faced with managing patients impacted by sudden practice disruption who are receiving treatment for opioid use disorder.

Questions about opioid prescribing or addiction care? 

Utilize OPEN’s free same-day consultation service for clinicians. Our experts are available to support primary care, community providers, and hospital staff in Michigan who are treating patients with substance use disorders or complex pain management needs. Our team can answer clinicians’ general questions about treatment and resources and provide feedback and guidance on treatment plans.

PAIN MANAGEMENT + NALOXONE

OPEN’s support services include a wide variety of free programs. Explore our full program portfolio for free offerings from co-branded educational materials to naloxone vending machines.

Non-Medication Patient Brochure

Learn how to help manage or reduce your pain and anxiety through various techniques.

Acetaminophen and NSAIDs Reference Sheet – Surgery

Learn more about prescribing acetaminophen and NSAIDs for pain management after surgery.

Learn the Facts Naloxone Patient Brochure

Learn about naloxone and how to safely administer it.

Naloxone Access Card by County

Find free Naloxone near you in Michigan.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Access FREE CME, Social Work and MCBAP CE credits.
• For prescribers, all webinar credits qualify for the DEA required SUD training.

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) – Bridging from ED to Outpatient

August 21, 2024
@ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

1.0 CE Credit Pending
CME, Social Work and MCBAP CE

Presenter:
Aaron Dora-Laskey, MD, MS

Many patients present to the emergency department for addiction treatment and begin a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Ensuring patients have a care pathway for continued support after leaving the acute care setting is key to their success but can be challenging. Join us to learn real-word implementation strategies to adopt in your practice.

SUD Management in Prenatal Care

September 4, 2024
@ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1.0 CE Credit Pending
CME, Social Work and MCBAP CE

Presenter:
Alex Peahl, MD, MSc

Substance use and substance use disorders in pregnancy are common and linked with multiple obstetric and neonatal adverse outcomes. Ideally, all pregnant patients should be screened, and those with positive screens should be promptly diagnosed and treated to avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with continued substance use during pregnancy. Join us to learn more about evidence-based strategies for identifying and managing patients with substance use during pregnancy.

Introduction to Treating Patients with Buprenorphine for Primary Care Providers

September 16, 2024
@ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

4.0 CME Credits Available

BCBSM will provide a $250 incentive to Primary Care Providers (Physicians and Advanced Practice Professionals) who attend this MOUD training. The incentive will be limited to the first 250 registered primary care providers, so please register early to ensure a spot.

Enhancing Engagement in OUD Care for Disadvantaged Populations

September 25, 2024
@ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1.0 CE Credit Pending
CME, Social Work and MCBAP CE

Presenter:
Liza Hutchinson, MD

It is well known that the opioid crisis affects all parts of society. However, certain communities experience notable disparities in morbidity and mortality from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This presentation will review the data around disparities in OUD outcomes and treatment among disadvantaged groups and discuss clinical approaches and models of care to address these inequities.

Bringing Our Patients COMFORT: Implementation of a New Clinical Practice Guideline for Pain Management after Childbirth

November 15, 2024

@ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1.0 CE Credit Pending

CME, Social Work and MCBAP CE

Presenter:

Alex Peahl, MD, MSc

Childbirth, whether vaginal or via cesarean section, can come with significant pain that requires effective management to ensure patient well-being and recovery. The way we address postpartum pain and the strategies we use, particularly regarding opioid prescriptions, have substantial implications for both immediate and long-term health outcomes. This webinar is designed to guide healthcare providers through the latest evidence-based clinical practice guideline for pain management after childbirth, which promote excellent pain control, reduce harmful opioid prescribing and more equitable, patient-centered care.

CLOSING

What would be helpful to you as a PCP? Send us an email with suggestions.

About OPEN

The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) is a diverse team dedicated to improving lives and reducing harms of substance use. By engaging with individuals, communities, and organizations, we share education and resources to strengthen person-centered prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Explore our full program portfolio for free offerings from co-branded educational materials to naloxone vending machines.

Contact Us

2800 Plymouth Road,
North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)
Building 16
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

open-support@med.umich.edu

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