Abstract
The rapid rise in the opioid epidemic has had a deleterious impact across the United States. This increase has drawn the attention of the critical care community not only because of the surge in acute opioid overdose-related admissions, but also due to the increase in the number of opioid-dependent and opioid-tolerant patients being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Opioid-related issues relevant to the critical care physician include direct care of patients with opioid overdoses, the provision of sufficient analgesia to patients with opioid dependence and tolerance, and the task of preventing long-term opioid dependence in patients who survive ICU care. This review identifies the challenges facing the ICU physician working with patients presenting with opioid-related complications, discusses current solutions, and suggests future areas of research and heightened ICU clinician attention.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.