When a vital sign leads a country astray—the opioid epidemic.

Brooke A. Chidgey; Katharine L. McGinigle; Peggy P. McNaull

Commentary

When a vital sign leads a country astray—the opioid epidemic.

September 4, 2019

Chidgey BA, McGinigle KL, McNaull PP. JAMA Surg. 2019;154(11):987-988.

View more articles from the same authors.

This commentary discusses how regulation, misinformation, and cultural beliefs influenced opioid prescribing behaviors for pain management that contributed to the opioid crisis. The author reviews efforts to address the problem, including a comprehensive approach to promote the use of nonopioid analgesics in perioperative care.

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