Mariano Medical was founded to support the individual's right for appropriate pain management while guarding against misuse, abuse and addiction. We guide HCOs, attorneys, and insurers thru the pain/addiction landscape.
Pain Management
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. ~ International Association for The Study of Pain
Despite current treatment options, pain continues to pose a significant burden. There are an estimated 100 million people living with chronic pain in the United States, which is more than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. Approximately one quarter of these people live with daily severe pain.
1. Institute of Medicine (IOM). Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2011. Available at: https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13172/relieving‐pain‐in‐america‐a‐blueprint‐for‐transforming‐preventioncare?gclid=Cj0KEQjw‐73GBRCC7KODl9zToJMBEiQAj1Jgfx5QFaWAeQW6qTWAqtu0VQLBuKzqsjaKf9Zgnw5N1O4aAuPA8P8HAQ. Accessed March 20, 2017. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report: Estimates of Diabetes and Its Burden in the United States, 2014. Department of Health and Human Services; 2014. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national‐diabetes‐report‐web.pdf. Accessed March 20, 2017. 3. Mozaffarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015;131(4):e29‐e322. 4. DeSantis CE, Lin CC, Mariotto AB, et al. Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Facts & Figures 2014‐2015. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014;64(4):252‐271.
“Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself.”
~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer, 1931
Chronic pain is a growing problem and as our population continues to age, the number of people experiencing chronic pain is expected to grow. This will increase the burden on our already taxed healthcare system and the possibility of people developing an addiction to their prescribed opioid treatments.
The opioid epidemic in both society and the workers' compensation environment has been well publicized.
Similar to what is seen in Social Security Disability claims, over-prescribing can also result in litigation. An injured worker may turn to the courts when the extended course of prescription opioids leads to long-term disability.
Despite all the negative sentiment around the use of prescription opioids, patients still need access to a proper diagnosis and appropriate care for which opioids may be a component of the multi-modal treatment plan.
The decision to taper opioids should be based on whether the benefits for pain and function outweigh the risks for that specific patient. There is no one dose or milligram morphine equivalent that works for every patient, every time. Clinical judgment is the keystone to the treatment plan.
1. National Institutes of Health, Defined Health, Pain Webinar 2/1/12, Elder, M The Global Market for Pain Management Drugs and Devices, HLC026D, BCC Research January 2013 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. January 13, 2012. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6101a3.htm) 3. National Institutes of Health, Defined Health, Pain Webinar 2/1/12, Elder, M The Global Market for Pain Management Drugs and Devices, HLC026D, BCC Research January 2013 4. U.S. Prescribing Rate Maps | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/maps/rxrate-maps.html 5. Express Scripts 2016 Drug Trend Report, Workers’ Compensation, http://lab.express-scripts.com/lab/drug-trend-report/workers-compensation-drug-trend-report 6. Express Scripts 2016 Drug Trend Report, Workers’ Compensation, http://lab.express-scripts.com/lab/drug-trend-report/workers-compensation-drug-trend-report
We are passionate and committed to addressing the substantial and growing pain epidemic. The diversity of pain conditions requires a diversity of research and treatment approaches. Our broad understanding is uniquely positioned to address the limitations of currently available models to guide healthcare organizations, attorneys and insurers thru the pain landscape.