2018 TNA and TSNA Joint Annual Conference

2018 TNA-TSNA JOINT CONFERENCE | ADVOCACY IN ACTION
community as well as family dynamics. Drug overdose deaths continue to rise and have nearly tripled from
1999- 2014 exceeding the number of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents. Over 1000 emergency
department visits are related to the misuse of opioids and an estimated 91 people die from opioid overdose
every day in the United States. Additionally, this epidemic is associated with an increase in infections
due to intravenous drug use as well as health care expenses due to hospitalizations and emergency care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention these costs are estimated to be $78.5 billion
per year which consists of medical management, substance abuse treatment, and legal consequences.
Unfortunately, access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction remains a barrier.
Prohibiting nurse practitioners from prescribing buprenorphine is one such limiting factor that prevents
life-sustaining treatment for patients suffering from opioid addiction. Section 303 of the Comprehensive
Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) granted buprenorphine-prescribing privileges to nurse practitioners
with appropriate training which could increase access to addiction care. Unfortunately, many states
continue to have laws prohibiting nurse practitioners from prescribing buprenorphine for addiction,
including Tennessee.
Objectives:
Analyze positive effects of buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction and the extent in which nurse
practitioners may increase access to MAT throughout the state of Tennessee as well as the United States.
Methods/Procedures:
A review of literature was conducted and utilized the harm reduction conceptual framework.
Findings:
N/A
Recommendations for Practice/Research:
MAT with buprenorphine is the safest and most effective treatment for opioid addiction; however, access
remains a barrier for patients. Nurse practitioners may serve patients needing addiction treatment but are
limited by buprenorphine prescribing regulations for addiction. These regulations restrict nurse practitioners
from prescribing buprenorphine and should be revised to provide access to addiction treatment. Ultimately
this could assist in preventing individual harm, societal harm, reduce healthcare costs, as well as improve
patients’ quality of life.
A Fourth Trimester
Chandler Hollingsworth (Co-Presenter)
Larrun Neder (Co-Presenter)
Problem Addressed:
A Fourth Trimester is the concept of at home care and teaching for the postpartum mother (especially a
first-time mother). This critical analysis of the current status of postpartum health care in the United States
what is known about the impact of home health care provided during the postpartum period, what is not
known about home health care provided during the postpartum period, and future implications for research
with home health care provided during the postpartum period.
Objectives:
Develop knowledge regarding home care and education for the postpartum mother.
Methods/Procedures:
Review of Literature
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