Comment from Brian Jones
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter, a disabled individual, argues that the NarxCare system unfairly influences medical decisions by creating a "Draconian" environment for pain management. They contend that the risk scores provide lawyers with ammunition for lawsuits, effectively scaring doctors away from prescribing necessary opioids for post-operative pain.
I don't see how this NarxCare thing is going unregulated. Anything that a Doctor or Medical Agency consults regarding a patient is, by definition, influencing their treatment. If opioids are appropriate, but then NarxCare says "are you SURRRRRRRE you want to do that? They seem really risky and you may be liable for any issues that come up!", then the Doctor says "oh! Well then we won't do that!"
If you replace the numerical risk assessment with actual words representing the risk score, it becomes clear that they are influencing medical decisions. Example: "Risk Score: 1" = "minimal risk", whereas "Risk Score: 8" = "dangerous to patient, liability risk". This is not difficult to understand.
This country has become Draconian regarding pain treatment. I'm Disabled and TERRIFIED of having another surgery, because these people think it's acceptable to forego pain management. Regardless of what a drug maker says, non-opioids are TOO NEW to rely on for post-op pain control, and yet they are. And people are killing themselves. It has to stop.
The fact is that this NarxCare thing gives lawyers ammunition in lawsuits, which scares Doctors. This arbitrary numbering system is forcing Doctors to do things differently, because ON PAPER some other arbitrary company decided the patient was a risk. And if the doctor continues with their Opioid prescription, they know that they will lose any potential lawsuit that arises.