The Crittenden Press Full Version (PDF)
Hospital changes way ER medications distributed Crittenden County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community has partnered
with Crittenden Health Systems in an effort to curb potential
prescription drug abuse through emergency room visits.
The new policy, which was initiated and spearheaded by the coalition,
forbids the distribution of narcotic medications in amounts exceeding
a night’s supply to patients unless they meet certain criteria, which
generally means someone who comes into the hospital with an acute
injury, such as a broken bone.
The policy went into effect on Jan. 1.
“The policy is being used. I've seen evidence of that,” said Robin
Curnel, director of nursing at Crittenden Hospital. “I have not seen
any issues with it so far in regards to providers following it or with
the patients. We've been doing a lot of education with the staff for
several months. It's been going smoothly.”
“You can't stop people from coming in,” Curnel said. “We have to treat
everyone no matter what their complaint is or their history with us.
We will continue to do that. It’s our mission.”
Chronic conditions are long lasting, reoccurring conditions that can
range from knee pain to back aches, among many other conditions.
Drug scamming is not currently a large issue at Crittenden Hospital,
but the hospital and coalition don't want it to become one, said
Brandi Rogers, a coalition member.
“We’ve had requests for refills for lengthy supplies, (but) we can't
do that anymore,” Curnel said. “We can't give 30-day supplies.
Generally, if they need something, with the exception of acute
illness, we'll give them something to get through the night. And it'll
be a non-narcotic.”
Non-narcotic medicines include non-addictive, anti-inflammatory
medications like Tylenol, asprin or Advil, among others.
“The important thing to get across is the ER will still treat
everyone, but they won't give out a month's supply of a prescription
medication at the ER, just enough to hold the patient until he or she
can get to their regular doctor," Rogers explained.
Crittenden is the first county in the area to implement this type of
policy, according to coalition officials.
After examining the data of patients’ histories, what medication was
being prescribed and how often, other hospitals have decided to
create similar policy. Ohio County has, said Curnel.
“The county and hospital size is similar to us,” Curnel said. “It’s
working well for them.”
The new policy shouldn’t create any extra work for the caregivers of
Crittenden Hospital, according to Curnel.
The hospital was very willing to work with the coalition when they
brought the idea to the hospital, according to Rogers.
“It's very exciting for the coalition,” Rogers said. “We see this as a
very big step to keeping our county protected from the drug abuse
industry.”
The policy will also help in thwarting patients that come from outside
Crittenden County into the hospital to abuse the previous system.
According to a UK College of Agriculture report in October, Kentucky
has one of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the nation.
Federal wildlife programs available to landowners Local wildlife biologist Philip Sharp says landowners in Crittenden
and Livingston counties have a high opportunity of being accepted for
wildlife improvement projects on their farms.
“Most of Crittenden and all of Livingston lies in a priority area for
EQIP so practices such as native warm season grass establishment, tree/
shrub plantings or forest stand improvements are a sure bet to get
funded,” he said. “In many cases EQIP cost sharing can actually exceed
a landowners out-of-pocket expense,” Sharp said. “In hard times such
as we are in now that is a very important take-home message. Not only
can you improve your land for hay production, cattle grazing and
wildlife habitat, you may be able to make a little money while doing
so.”
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting
applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). To apply or learn
more, contact Sharp at the USDA office at 118 East Bellville Street in
Marion or call 965-3921, ext. 110.
Landusers may apply for these programs at any time, however, only
applications received by Jan. 29 will be considered for this program
year. Applications received after Jan. 29 will be held until the next
evaluation period.
EQIP and WHIP allow cost-share assistance to persons engaged in
livestock or agricultural production on eligible land. Applications
are evaluated and ranked using criteria to determine which
applications provide the best environmental benefits and address
priority resource concerns. Cost-share payments are calculated using a
payment rate established for each practice.
All conservation practices are subject to NRCS technical standards
adapted for local conditions. For applications selected for funding, a
conservation plan will be developed with the landuser to identify
appropriate conservation practices. Practices in Kentucky include, but
are not limited to, critical area planting; pipeline and watering
facility; pasture and hayland planting; grassed waterway; diversion;
and fencing to exclude livestock from woodlands and streams.
Additional information may be found at ky.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. To
apply, or for more information, please contact Larry Starr, District
Conservationist, or the local conservation district office located at
360 West Main in Salem or 118 East Bellville Street in Marion. You may
also call 965-3921, extension 3. in Marion or 988-2180, extension 3 in
Salem.