The Cherokee Regional Medical Center is among the first four hospitals in the state to announce participation in the Billion Pill Pledge program to prevent opioid addiction before it begins.
The program is supported by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. The goal is to reduce leftover opioids after surgery in the country by one-billion pills each year. The initiative was announced last month.
CRMC President/CEO Gary Jordan applauds Attorney General Tom Miller for highlighting the issue, and understanding the importance of prevention in addressing the opioid crisis. Jordan says opioids aren’t just patient challenges, but community challenges. He says the Billion Dollar Pledge program will help CRMC better serve their community.
Studies show nine-percent of surgery patients who have never used opioids become long-term users after receiving legally prescribed opioids after a surgery. Through the program, each hospital will enhance its surgery protocols and optimize pain management around surgery to better prepare patients, better manage any surgery-related pain, and minimize opioid use before and after surgery.
Floyd Valley Healthcare in LeMars is also participating in the program.
