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ASPI E-Newsletter

The ASPI E-Newsletter is an e-mail update on pain related issues, events, and activities of the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives. To receive the ASPI E-Newsletter, please contact Matt Bromley at mdbromley@wisc.edu

goto Report Card Gives States Good Grades on Pain Policies
goto DEA Proposes Rule Allowing Multiple Scripts
goto Eight State Pain Initiatives Receive LAF/ ASPI Grants
goto Maine PI Produces Physician Self-Study Resource
goto ONS Announces Cancer Symptom Management Research Grant
goto RSDSA Offers Resource Directory
goto Silent Pain Sufferers, 1 in 5 Do Not Report Pain
goto Managed Care Unaware of Cost Savings of Pain Management

goto NC Pain Conference Part of Pain Awareness Month
goto Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative Offers End-of-Life DVD
goto Website Debut for South Carolina Pain Initiative
goto Missouri Pain Advocacy Day September 13
goto ASPI Leaders Awarded Fellowships
goto Conviction of Pain Doc Overturned, New Trial Ordered

goto ASPI Annual Meeting Sizzles in Arizona
gotoMary Bennett Receives AACPI Distinguished Service Award
goto Pain Champions Honored
goto Feds Ask AACPI For Input On Prescription Monitoring
goto Cancer Survivorship Bill Introduced
goto Congressional Briefing Draws Attention to Pain Epidemic
goto WHO Analgesic Ladder Turns 20

goto ASPI Annual Meeting Offers Networking Opportunities
goto Rx Monitoring Programs Ineffective in Curbing Drug Abuse
goto Virginia CPI Offers End-of-Life DVD/Video
goto Survey of WI Physicians Shows Lack of Knowledge About Opioids
goto End-of-Life Workshop for Social Workers

goto ASPI Annual Meeting Features Expert on EOL Care
goto ASPI National Office Welcomes Outreach Coordinator
goto PCPI Conference Focused on End of Life Care
goto New Prescribing Law In New York Raises Questions
goto Florida Pain Initiative Comments on Rx Monitoring Bill

goto ASPI Meeting: Register Now for Early Bird Discount

goto ASPI Nat’l Office Awards Funds to Four State Pain Initiatives
goto Palliative Care Teleconf. Features ASPI’s Patrick Coyne
goto Kansas Pain Initiative / LIFE Project Seek to Improve State Law
goto Arizona Medical Board Considers New Pain Policy
goto Kentucky Nurses Gain Prescribing Privileges
goto Power Over Pain Reaches Thousands

goto Registration for ASPI Annual Meeting Available Soon
goto Ohio Survey: Severe Chronic Pain Common
goto Washington-Alaska Pain Initiative Implements Power Over Pain
goto 100 Organizations Endorse The National Pain Care Policy Act
goto White House Wants States to Track Rx Drugs
goto Carolinas Hold Pain Congress

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September 2006 E-Newsletter

REPORT CARD GIVES STATES GOOD GRADES ON PAIN POLICIES

The Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) at the University of Wisconsin this week released new editions of Achieving Balance in Federal and State Pain Policy: A Guide to Evaluation (Third edition) and, Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card (Second edition). The reports evaluate and track the progress of government policies that influence pain management, and show that most states have above average policies.  The ASPI encourages State Pain Initiatives to use these valuable resources in their efforts to remove barriers to pain care that continue to exist in state laws and regulations.  To view or download the reports, as well as a national press release and Frequently Asked Questions, visit the PPSG website at:  http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/ Also, read the ASPI’s comments on the progress of state pain policies at: http://www.ASPI.wisc.edu/


DEA PROPOSES RULE ALLOWING MULTIPLE SCRIPTS

The Drug Enforcement Administration proposed a rule that would allow practitioners to issue multiple prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances on the same day with instructions to fill on different dates as long as the total amount prescribed does not exceed a 90-day supply. The DEA proposed this rule in response to the ASPI’s and other pain management advocates’ concerns that the DEA’s previous interpretation that this type of practice violates the federal Controlled Substances Act's "no refill" provision for prescriptions of Sched II drugs would negatively impact patient care. In addition to the proposed rule, the DEA also issued a policy statement on the use of controlled substances for pain and released a Practitioner's Manual to provide information to health care professionals about the federal Controlled Substances Act. The public may comment on the proposed rule before November 6, 2006. You can read these documents on the "What’s New" section of DEAs website at:  http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/new.htm


EIGHT STATE PAIN INITIATIVES RECEIVE GRANTS FROM THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION AND ASPI

State Pain Initiatives from Northern and Southern California, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, and New Hampshire, were selected to receive grants to carry out projects directed at overcoming barriers to pain relief at the state and local level and improve the quality of life for people living with cancer. The grants are part of a national partnership between the ASPI and LAF. Visit http://www.ASPI.wisc.edu to read the news release that describes the projects the State Pain Initiatives will pursue with the funding.


MAINE PI PRODUCES PHYSICIAN SELF STUDY RESOURCE

The Maine Pain Initiative, in association with the Maine Hospice Council, recently released "Pain Management at the End of Life: A Physician's Self Study Packet."  This innovative self-directed CME accredited program was designed in response to the fact that while many health professionals identify a significant need for and interest in pain management education, they often are unable to attend conferences or seminars.  The national office of the ASPI provided funding support. State Pain Initiatives are encouraged to replicate this project in their own states.  For more information or to order your copy, please go to http://www.mainehospicecouncil.org/SelfStudyPacket.htm


ONS ANNOUNCES SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT RESEARCH GRANT

The Oncology Nursing Society Foundation is accepting applications for a $45,000 two-year grant to support research activities in the area of cancer symptom management.  Letters of intent are due by November 14 and applications are due December 12. Membership in ONS is not required. For more information go to: http://www.ons.org/awards/foundawards/majorGrants.shtml


RSDSA PUBLISHES DIRECTORY FOR PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL NEED

The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA, has published In Pain and Agonizing Over the Bills, a resource directory for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) who suffer financial devastation as a result of their persistent and often disabling pain.  The directory has sections on Government assistance, Getting help for living expenses, Patient Assistance Programs, Health Services, Transportation, Clinical Trials, Centers for Independent Living, and more.  The publication is available free of charge from the RSDSA office, phone: 877-662-7737, or it can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.rsds.org/Whatsnew.html


SILENT PAIN SUFFERERS, 1 IN 5 DO NOT REPORT PAIN

A survey published in the February 2006 edition of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reports that more than 1 in 5 (22.4%) of persons with chronic pain do not inform their physicians of their pain.  These“silent pain sufferers” are unknown to physicians and therefore represent an unreported patient group with an unmet need for pain care. Read the article at http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com


MANAGED CARE ORGS UNAWARE OF COSTS OF PAIN

Interviews of executives of managed care organizations in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Pain Initiative showed that none of the six companies interviewed had systematically tracked data or had processes in place to allow them to track, analyze or trend data specific to pain management. Inadequate insurance coverage is a barrier to pain management, and the interviews reveal a need for health insurers to assess the cost effectiveness of various approaches to pain management.  Visit www.ASPI.wisc.edu for a link to the full article published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal.

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August 2006 E-Newsletter

NC PAIN CONFERENCE PART OF PAIN AWARENESS MONTH

As part of Pain Awareness Month for September, the North Carolina Pain Initiative (NCPI) is co-sponsoring a dynamic educational conference titled “Taking Charge of Pain:  What Everyone Needs to Know About Effective Pain Management”.  The event will be held September 26, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC and features Dr. Richard Payne, a nationally respected leader in the field of pain management and the Director for the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life.  A panel of pain and health experts will join Dr. Payne to answer questions and discuss issues of concern in pain management. The event is sponsored by the Project Compassion, the NC Pain Initiative, the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life, the American Cancer Society, and the Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of life Care.  For more information and registration, go to http://www.project-compassion.org/events.htm or call (919) 402-1844.


VIRGINIA CANCER PAIN INITIATIVE OFFERS END OF LIFE DVD

The Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative in association with the Virginia Association for Hospices has available a new DVD/video “Making Difficult Decisions: An End of Life Discussion”, in which hospice and palliative care professionals, patients, and family caregivers offer their unique perspectives on their experiences and decisions in end of life care. The video promotes discussion among professionals and the public about barriers to good end of life care, advance planning, hospice and palliative care options and choices in the final transition.   An accompanying Viewer’s Guide with discussion questions and related resources makes this an excellent educational tool for patients, family members, and health care professionals.  For more information or to order your copy ($10.00 plus shipping), contact Laura Pole at Lpchef@earthlink.net


WEBSITE DEBUT FOR SOUTH CAROLINA PAIN INITIATIVE

The South Carolina Pain Initiative recently unveiled its new website created as part of the ASPI’s Pain Initiative capacity building grant program.  Twenty State Pain Initiatives now have websites that provide easy access to important information on pain management.  Check out all the State Pain Initiative websites at: http://www.ASPI.wisc.edu/subweb/initweb.htm


MISSOURI PAIN ADVOCACY DAY SEPTEMBER 13

On September 13, volunteers of the Missouri Pain Initiative (MOPI) plan to convene at the State Capitol to encourage legislators to support efforts to improve the treatment of pain and access to pain management services.  The event is part of a slew of awareness and educational activities MOPI has planned for September Pain Awareness Month.  See http://www.missouripain.org/ for a list of events and activities.


ASPI LEADERS AWARDED FELLOWSHIPS

For the third straight year individuals prominent with the ASPI and the State Pain Initiatives have been selected to receive the prestigious Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship.

The 2006-2007 Fellows include current ASPI Advisory Council members, Terry Altilio, LCSW and Shirley Otis-Green, LCSW, MSW.  Terry is part of the New York State Pain Initiative and coordinator of social work at the Department of Pain Medicine & Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.  Shirley is with the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative (SCCPI) and a senior research specialist at the Department of Nursing Research & Education, City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA.  Terry and Shirley are the first social work professionals selected to receive the Fellowships.  Also selected are three contributors to the ASPI and State Pain Initiatives, Paul Arnstein, RN, PhD, Department Chair, Community Health and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, and Associate Professor at the William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College; Steven Passik, PhD, Associate Attending Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan  Kettering Cancer Center in New York City; and Steven Weisman, MD, Jane B. Pettit Chair in Pain Management, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin; and Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The Fellowship was established by The Mayday Fund to provide leaders in pain management with tools to better communicate to media and policymakers and raise visibility for their issues. For more information visit http://www.painandhealth.org/


CONVICTION OF PAIN DOC OVERTURNED, NEW TRIAL ORDERED

A federal appeals court overturned the conviction of William Hurwitz, a pain management physician in Northern Virginia, and ordered a new trial because jurors were not allowed to consider whether he prescribed drugs in good faith.  Hurwitz was convicted in December 2004 of multiple counts of drug trafficking for prescribing pain medicine in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.  Patient and pain management advocacy groups are watching this case closely because of its potential ramifications on the practice of medicine and physicians’ responsibility for the actions of their patients.

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June 2006 E-Newsletter

ASPI ANNUAL MEETING SIZZLES IN ARIZONA

The hot Arizona weather didn’t wilt the enthusiasm of the attendees of the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives’ 17th annual meeting held earlier this month in Phoenix.  Over 120 health care professionals, educators, researchers, and advocates from 33 states and the District of Columbia were treated to top notch presenters, and came away from the meeting energized and armed with new resources to improve the quality of life for persons with pain.  The overwhelming positive feedback from those who attended is testament to the meeting’s unique format, which emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to improving pain management. The meeting’s success also reflects the hard work put in by the host Initiative, the Arizona Pain Initiative.  Don’t miss next year’s meeting, which will be held in beautiful Boston, MA from June 21-23, 2007.


MARY BENNETT RECEIVES ASPI DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Mary Bennett is the 2006 recipient of the ASPI’s Distinguished Service Award.  The award recognizes Mary’s contributions to the State Pain Initiative movement and to the relief of pain.  Many State Pain Initiatives have benefited from Mary’s dedication and passion to the mission of improving pain relief during her tenure as outreach director for the ASPI, and her commitment continues with her new role as director of mobilization for the American Pain Foundation, one of ASPI’s national collaborators.  Congratulations Mary on an honor greatly deserved!


PAIN CHAMPIONS HONORED

Each year, the ASPI recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth, development and accomplishments of a State Pain Initiative. The 2006 Pain Initiative Champions are:

Katie Bond (Arizona Pain Initiative)
Jim Dube (Nebraska Pain Initiative)
Walter Forman (New Mexico Pain Initiative)
Chris Herndon (Missouri Pain Initiative)
William Marcus (Northern California Pain Initiative)
David Mayschak (Washington / Alaska Pain Initiative)
Kristina Thomson (New York and New Jersey Pain Initiatives)
Barbara Whitlatch (Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative)

The ASPI’s Champion for Pain Relief-Public Awareness Award is given to a prominent national or state figure that has made exceptional contributions to raising public awareness of uncontrolled pain as a major health crisis and has championed improvements. The 2006 recipient is Arizona State Senator Carolyn Allen.

The ASPI’s Excellence in Pain Management-Institution Award recognizes an institution, organization, or governmental agency for its outstanding efforts to improve pain management. The 2006 recipient is St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Henderson, NV. Congratulations to all the 2006 ASPI award recipients.


FEDS ASK ASPI FOR INPUT ON PRESCRIPTION MONITORING

The ASPI and several of its State Pain Initiatives were recently asked by the federal Department of Health for their opinions about state prescription monitoring programs.  The inquiry is part of the federal government’s attempt to assess the impact these programs have on patient care as required by the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic
Reporting (NASPER) Act of 2005.  The Dept. of Health sought out the ASPI and State Pain Initiatives because of their leadership on this issue and their extensive knowledge of the barriers that interfere with pain management.  In 2002, the ASPI issued a position statement on prescription monitoring programs that recommends criteria to minimize the potential adverse impact the programs may have on access to pain medications.  The ASPI’s statement is available online at http://www.ASPI.wisc.edu/position.htm


CANCER SURVIVORSHIP BILL INTRODUCED

Legislation recently introduced in Congress expands research and strengthens programs at the National Cancer Institute and NCI-designated cancer centers to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.  H.R. 5390, the Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act, also appropriates funds to support local, community-based programs that provide direct services to improve cancer survivorship and the quality of life for cancer survivors. You can view the text of H.R 5390 at http://thomas.loc.gov/


CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING DRAWS ATTENTION TO PAIN EPIDEMIC

On June 13th, members of Congress and their staff turned out to learn more about the problem of inadequately treated pain.  The briefing featured the perspectives of nationally renowned pain management experts Howard Heit MD, and Rollin Gallagher MD, as well as the testimony of Mary Vargas who spoke about the personal impact of pain on her life. The briefing offered an opportunity to encourage members of Congress to support the National Pain Care Policy Act (HR 1020), which calls for greater national investment in pain research, treatment and awareness. Read a summary of the briefing on the American Pain Foundation’s website at http://www.painfoundation.org


WHO ANALGESIC LADDER TURNS 20

An appraisal of the WHO Analgesic Ladder on its 20th anniversary is the focus of the current issue of Cancer Pain Release, the publication of the WHO Pain and Palliative Care Communications Program.

The issue features an interview with Dr. Kathleen Foley, former chair of the WHO Expert Committee on Cancer Pain Relief and Active Supportive Care, the group that drafted the WHO guidelines. Praised for its simplicity and clarity, criticized for its omissions, the WHO ladder remains an icon for analgesic drug therapy.

The issue highlights research supporting and refuting the WHO Analgesic Ladder and provides online links to the WHO source documents about the method to relieve cancer pain.

To read this issue online, visit: www.WHOcancerpain.wisc.edu/eng/19_1/19_1.html

To receive your own print copy of Cancer Pain Release, visit: http://www.WHOcancerpain.wisc.edu/feedback.html

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May 2006 E-Newsletter

ASPI ANNUAL MEETING OFFERS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Register now for the ASPI national meeting in Phoenix, AZ, June 15-17, and connect with representatives of leading health organizations, such as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American Pain Foundation, the American Society for Pain Management Nursing, the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the ASPI’s State Pain Initiatives, Cancer Centers, and the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.  Join this one of kind interdisciplinary gathering and you’ll come away armed with new approaches and a renewed vigor to tackle the barriers that impede the effective relief of pain.  Information about the meeting is available on the ASPI’s website at www.ASPI.wisc.edu


RX MONITORING PROGRAMS INEFFECTIVE IN CURBING DRUG ABUSE

Robert Twillman, PhD, immediate past-chair of the ASPI’s Advisory Council, head of the Kansas Pain Initiative, and program director of pain management at the University of Kansas Hospital, recently studied the effects of prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) on retail drug distribution patterns and measures of substance abuse.  Twenty-two states currently have a system that tracks the prescribing of controlled substances.

Dr. Twillman presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Pain Society earlier this month.
His evaluation indicates that:
1) states with PMPs, compared to those without PMPs, report less prescribing of most C-II opioids, especially morphine and oxycodone, while they report significantly greater prescribing of C-III opioids; and
2) states with PMPs do not report lower rates of abuse of prescription opioids, but in fact, actually report higher rates on one measure of such abuse.

When dividing states according to the type of PMP, those with PMPs that monitor both C-II and C-III opioids do not differ significantly from states with no PMPs in prescribing of any opioid except hydrocodone (with PMP states prescribing 68% more hydrocodone than states without PMPs).  The pattern of findings with respect to drug abuse holds for
these states.  States that monitor only C-II opioids report significantly less prescribing of morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, compared to states that monitor both C-II and C-III opioids.

This study suggests that PMPs are not effective in reducing drug abuse (and by extension, probably not effective in reducing drug diversion), and depending on the schedules monitored by the PMP, may result in downscheduling of medications prescribed to patients and in a sharp increase in prescribing of hydrocodone (which is the most commonly abused prescription opioid).  You can view Dr. Twillman’s presentation on the ASPI website at http://aspi.wisc.edu/policy.htm


VIRGINIA CPI OFFERS END-OF-LIFE DVD / VIDEO

The Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative in association with the Virginia Association for Hospices announces the availability of the DVD/video“Making Difficult Decisions: An End of Life Discussion”.  The video promotes discussion among professionals and the public about barriers to good end of life care, advance planning, hospice and palliative care
options and choices in the final transition.   An accompanying Viewer’s Guide with discussion questions and related resources makes this an excellent educational resource for patients, family members, and health care professionals. For more information or to order your copy ($10.00 plus shipping), contact Laura Pole at Lpchef@earthlink.net


SURVEY OF WI PHYSICIANS SHOWS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OPIOIDS

A survey to assess Wisconsin physicians’ knowledge and attitudes toward opioid analgesic use shows that only one-half of those surveyed believed it lawful and acceptable medical practice to prescribe opioids for chronic non-cancer pain.  They also had poor knowledge of controlled substance regulations, and a majority were confused about the meaning of addiction.  Read an abstract of the survey results on the ASPI’s website at www.ASPI.wisc.edu


END-OF-LIFE WORKSHOP FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

The Social Work End-of-Life Education Project will sponsor a two-day workshop in Rochester, New York on August 1 & 2, 2006.  Key content includes: the social work role and values specific to palliative and end-of-life care; biopsychosocial spiritual assessment; ethical issues; multidimensional aspects of pain and symptom management; therapeutic
interventions, including cognitive behavioral interventions; cultural awareness; self care; compassion fatigue; secondary trauma; grief and bereavement.  Faculty includes Mary Raymer, LMSW, ACSW, Raymer Psychotherapy and Consultation Services, MI; Terry Altilio, LCSW, Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical
Center, NY; Amanda L. Sutton, CSW, Private Practitioner & Consultant, Naples, FL.  Registration cost is $300, and CEU’s are available.

A registration form is available for download at www.stoppain.org and the deadline is July 18, 2006.  This program is cosponsored by the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State, Beth Israel Medical Center and supported by unrestricted educational grants from the American Cancer Society and Cephalon, Inc.  For additional information, contact Terry Altilio, LCSW at 212-844-1467

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April 2006 E-Newsletter

ASPI ANNUAL MEETING FEATURES EXPERT ON EOL CARE

The ASPI is honored to welcome Dr. Joanne Lynn as the keynote speaker at the ASPI’s national meeting June 15-17 in Phoenix, AZ.  As a hospice and long-term care physician, ethicist, health policy expert, and author, Dr. Lynn is an internationally known leader in helping terminally ill persons improve their quality of life.  You will not want to miss an opportunity to discuss important pain management issues with Dr. Lynn and prominent leaders in the State Pain Initiative movement. Register by April 21 and save $50.  Information about the meeting and registration form are available on the ASPI’s website at www.aspi.wisc.edu


ASPI NATIONAL OFFICE WELCOMES OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Ronna Popkin recently joined the national office of the ASPI as an outreach coordinator.  Ronna earned her Bachelor of Science in Women's Studies and her Master of Science in Health Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She most recently worked as a community outreach educator for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, where she coordinated and implemented health outreach programs for both youth and adults, trained and managed the agency's network of volunteer educators, and served as the organization's adult and professional education specialist.  Ronna will be organizing the ASPI’s annual national meeting and coordinating outreach efforts to the State Pain Initiatives.  The national office of the ASPI is housed at the University of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.


PCPI CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON END OF LIFE CARE

Nearly 200 health care professionals attended the 15th annual conference of the Pennsylvania Cancer Pain Initiative on April 7.  The conference featured presentations by national experts on the policy, clinical and ethical issues involved in improving the management of pain and quality of life for persons dying in acute and long-term care settings.  This year’s conference followed the PCPI’s long-standing tradition of providing exceptional educational programs for health care professionals and pain management advocates throughout the state of Pennsylvania.  For more information about the PCPI, visit www.papainrelief.org


NEW PRESCRIBING LAW IN NEW YORK RAISES QUESTIONS

New requirements for clinicians who prescribe and dispense drugs in the State of New York went into effect this month and the NY State Pain Initiative (NYSPI) wants to know the impact on pain management.  The new state law requires all prescriptions be written on official state-issued prescription forms and requires information on prescriptions for controlled substances to be sent to the state Department of Health.  The NYSPI and the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division are seeking input from other state professional health and medical organizations to determine how the law may impact medical practice.


FLORIDA PAIN INITIATIVE COMMENTS ON RX MONITORING BILL

Legislation to establish a statewide program to track the prescribing of controlled substances is once again before the Florida State Legislature.  In a letter to the bill’s author, the Florida Pain Initiative (FPI) suggested amending the bill to minimize the potential adverse affect a monitoring program could have on pain care.  The FPI expressed concern that a monitoring program may heighten practitioners’ fears of regulatory scrutiny and deter the use of opioid analgesics even when clinically appropriate.  The FPI’s comments incorporated many of the recommendations offered by the ASPI’s position statement on prescription monitoring programs.  You can read both the FPI letter and the ASPI position statement online at http://ASPI.wisc.edu/policy.htm

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March 2006 E-Newsletter

ASPI MEETING: REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

Register for the ASPI’s annual national meeting by April 21 and save $50.This one-of a-kind meeting brings together health care professionals, researchers, policy experts, and leaders of professional and consumer organizations to share best practices, network with one another, and become energized to develop and implement programs to improve the care of persons in pain. The national meeting will be held from June 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Plaza in Phoenix, AZ. Information about the meeting, brochure, and registration form are available on the ASPI’s website at http://www.ASPI.wisc.edu


ASPI NAT’L OFFICE AWARDS FUNDS TO FOUR STATE PAIN INITIATIVES

The ASPI National Office is pleased to announce that four State Pain Initiatives have been selected to receive funds to support projects and activities. With these funds, the Arizona Pain Initiative plans to build an infrastructure to position itself as a resource for pain and palliative care in the State. The Nevada Pain Initiative will conduct town hall meetings to raise awareness of pain issues among the public and host a seminar on pain management for health care professionals. The Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative plans to organize a live, interactive pain management education videoconference for health care professionals. The Missouri Pain Initiative will partner with the state’s Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management to develop a statewide strategic plan to address the barriers to proper pain care in the state.


PALLIATIVE CARE TELECONF FEATURES ASPI’S PATRICK COYNE

The Center to Advance Palliative Care will offer a teleconference on April 11 titled, “Oncology Nursing and the Treatment of Pain”. The event features Patrick Coyne, a nationally recognized expert on pain and palliative care and current chairperson of the ASPI’s Advisory Council. For more information on how to participate in the teleconference, visit http://www.capc.org


KANSAS PAIN INITIATIVE/LIFE PROJECT SEEK TO IMPROVE STATE LAW

Although Kansas received an impressive grade of “B+” from the Pain and Policy Studies Group’s (PPSG) 2003 report card on state pain policies, the Kansas Pain Initiative and LIFE Project (Living Initiatives for End-of-Life Care) are not satisfied. They are asking state legislators to support House Bill 2649 to improve state law relating to patients’ rights and professional practice. HB 2649 is moving through the Kansas legislature and among other things deletes language in current state law that perpetuates the belief that the use of opioid analgesics hastens death. This type of language reinforces unfounded fears about opioids and can contribute to inadequate treatment of pain.

AZ MEDICAL BOARD CONSIDERS NEW PAIN POLICY

The Arizona Medical Board held a public hearing on March 16th on a draft policy and guidelines for the treatment of pain. The policy is based in part on the Federation of State Medical Boards’ Model Policy for the Use of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Pain, that was endorsed by the ASPI. According to a Board’s news release, “Those who attended (the hearing) generally agreed that the draft goes a long in easing physicians’ fear of regulatory scrutiny.” The draft pain policy is available on the Board’s website at http://www.azmdboard.org/


KENTUCKY NURSES GAIN PRESCRIBING PRIVILEGES

Advance nurse practitioners in Kentucky were granted authority to prescribe controlled substances under a new law enacted in the state earlier this month. Now, only Alabama, Florida and Missouri do not allow nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances, although Senate Bill 576 is currently pending in the Missouri legislature to grant this authority 


POWER OVER PAIN REACHES THOUSANDS

Power Over Pain, a public awareness outreach program jointly sponsored by the ASPI and the American Pain Foundation, has provided important pain management information to thousands of people through the eleven State Pain Initiatives that have participated in the program since 2003. Through community presentations, professional education forums, and public listening sessions persons with pain, care givers, and health care providers from Alaska to Florida are gaining knowledge and resources to help improve pain care.

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February 2006 E-Newsletter

REGISTRATION FOR ASPI ANNUAL MEETING AVAILABLE SOON

Brochures and registration information for the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives’ annual national meeting will soon be mailed and posted on the ASPI’s website www.ASPI.wisc.edu. Don’t miss the chance to attend this unique, interdisciplinary national forum that brings together national and state leaders involved in efforts to address the diverse challenges that impede effective pain control. Participants share resources and expertise, network with one another, and become energized to develop and implement programs to improve the care of persons in pain. The national meeting will be held from June 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Plaza in Phoenix, AZ, and will focus on the “Politics of Pain” to highlight actions essential to overcoming the organizational, societal, regulatory, educational and clinical barriers that contribute to the undertreatment of pain.


OHIO SURVEY: SEVERE CHRONIC PAIN COMMON

One out of ten households in Ohio have a person with a medically diagnosed chronic pain condition, according to a survey commissioned by the Ohio Pain Initiative (OPI) and Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. For persons with pain, the survey also shows that the average intensity of their pain is a 6,

based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the worst pain imaginable. View the results of the “2005 State of Chronic Pain in Ohio” survey on the OPI website at: http://www.ohiopaininitiative.org


WASHINGTON-ALASKA PAIN INITIATIVE (WAKPI) IMPLEMENTS POWER OVER PAIN

The WAKPI plans to use its recently awarded “Power Over Pain” grant to bring important pain information to communities in both states through its “Regionalization: A Community Outreach Project.” Other outreach activities have included participation at the annual Alaska Pharmacist conference and Alaska state nurses association convention by WAKPI volunteers Donna Lindsay, David Mayschak, Pat Dooley, and Deb O'Loane. In Washington, Anjan Sen, Lynne Allen, and Dionetta Hudzinski, are leading outreach efforts on behalf of WAKPI. WAKPI efforts are bearing fruit as local health care providers work to improve the quality of pain management and provide greater access to services. WAKPI also reports greater participation in patient support groups and educational forums. Two new members to the WAKPI board of directors, Lisa Schwartz of AK and Linda Johnson Trippett of WA, will help contribute even more to the success of WAKPI.


100 ORGANIZATIONS ENDORSE THE NATIONAL PAIN CARE POLICY ACT

One hundred organizations, including fifteen State Pain Initiatives that are part of the ASPI, have endorsed the National Pain Care Policy Act (HR 1020). The legislation was introduced last year by Congressman Mike Rogers (Michigan) and makes pain care research, education, and treatment a national health care priority. For more information on how you and your organization can support the passage of the National Pain Care Policy Act, visit the American Pain Foundation’s website at http://www.painfoundation.org


WHITE HOUSE WANTS STATES TO TRACK RX DRUGS

The White House released the President’s annual National Drug Control Strategy earlier this month. The Administration’s strategy to combat prescription drug abuse focuses on preventing diversion through the establishment of state-level prescription-drug monitoring programs (PMPs). The US Congress authorized federal funding to assist states in establishing PMPs. Many of the ASPI’s State Pain Initiatives are using the ASPI’s position statement on PMPs to work with their state policy makers to make sure that any program which tracks the prescribing and dispensing of prescription drugs does not adversely impact access to these medications for persons with pain. 

You can read the White House’s report at: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/

The ASPI’s position statement at:http://ASPI.wisc.edu/policy.htm


CAROLINAS HOLD PAIN CONGRESS

The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care will hold a two-day Carolinas Pain Congress on March 16-17 that will feature national pain management experts including June Dahl, co-founder of the ASPI. The event will also offer an opportunity for participants to learn more about the North Carolina and South Carolina Pain Initiatives.

For more information see: http://www.carolinasendoflifecare.org/EducationalPrograms.html

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