Prisma Health seeks alternative to opioids as use down roughly 50%
Since 2016, Prisma Health has been trying to reduce opioid use among patients due to the risk of addiction amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Author: Kayland Hagwood Updated: 6:45 PM EST February 25, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. Opioids used to be the primary solution for patients experiencing acute of chronic pain, often leading to addiction. To combat the state and national opioid crisis, Prisma Health is working to reduce use of the drugs among its patients.
According to recent data, more than 880 opioid-related deaths happened in South Carolina in 2019 alone.
“We want to provide alternatives to treat people’s pain conditions that may not be pharmaceutical based,” Dr. Kevin Walker, Medical Director for Pain Medicine at Prisma Health said.