(Des Moines)– Two hospitals in northwest Iowa are among the first four in the state to launch a program aimed at reducing opioid use. Cherokee Regional Medical Center and Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars have announced their participation in the Billion Pill program. It’s made possible through an initiative of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office as a result of settlements from companies that contributed to the opioid crisis.
The program allows hospitals to enhance surgery protocols and optimize pain management around surgery to minimize opioid use both before and after surgery. Patients have access to special nurses who are experts in surgery and recovery.
The goal of the program is to reduce leftover opioids after surgery in the U.S. By 1 billion pills each year.
