- California: Despite a 2015 law eliminating non-medical exemptions to vaccination requirements, the vaccinate rate among kindergarteners across nearly 750 schools in the state is still below the 95 percent vaccination rate experts say is necessary to prevent the spread of measles and other highly contagious diseases, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. Further, the Times found that for the 2016-2017 school year, the number of kindergarteners with medical exemptions grew threefold (Karlamangla/Poindexter, Los Angeles Times, 8/13).
- Kentucky: Jennifer Nolan will take over as president of KentuckyOne Health's Flaget Memorial Hospital, effective Sept. 1. Currently, Nolan is president of KentuckyOne Health's Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital and Our Lady of Peace hospital. Nolan has served as a CEO and COO for several health systems (Vaidya, Becker's Hospital Review, 8/14).
- Massachusetts: The 27 police departments in Plymouth Countyare piloting a new database for documenting opioid overdoses that they hope will let them share information in real time and help more individuals enter treatment. According to the system developers, every overdose that the department responds to is included in the new database, which triggers the system to send a recovery coach and non-uniformed officer for a follow-up visit to the person who overdosed within 24 hours. At the follow-up visit, officials offer resources to the individual and his or her family, as well as treatment options (McDermott, AP/Sacramento Bee, 8/14).
Reduce opioid misuse and abuse with our new report
Opioid misuse and abuse is one of the most pressing public health issues in the U.S., and hospitals and health systems are on the front lines. Currently, most health systems focus their opioid management efforts on select medical specialties, and providers typically intervene only after the patient has shown signs of misuse and addiction.
This research report outlines three imperatives to guide hospitals and health systems in their efforts to reduce the impact of inappropriate opioid prescribing and misuse.