Drug Testing Interpretation in the Peripartum Setting: Results of Clinician Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) survey obstetrical and pediatric clinicians' experience, confidence, and training in maternal and neonatal drug testing interpretation; (2) determine their proficiency in drug test interpretation; and (3) assess predictors of correct interpretation. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of clinicians caring for pregnant people or newborns at an urban academic center. We assessed clinicians' demographic characteristics, experience, confidence, and prior training in interpretation of maternal and newborn drug tests. We assessed proficiency in interpreting drug tests using 11 clinical vignettes and categorized scores as poor (0-2), fair (3-5), and good (≥6) performance to facilitate data interpretation. We used descriptive statistics to summarize responses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine associations of clinician characteristics and score category (reference category: poor performance). RESULTS: In total, 103 respondents completed the survey including 60 obstetrical clinicians (58.3%), 19 family medicine physicians (18.5%), 21 pediatric clinicians (20.4%), and 3 social workers (2.9%) (response rate, ~40%). The mean correct response was 4.1 (SD, 2.17; range, 0-11). Most respondent scores were fair (n = 47.6%), followed by good (n = 28.2%) and poor (n = 24.3%). Increased frequency, confidence, and training in interpreting maternal screening and confirmatory tests were associated with higher proficiency. Increased confidence and training in interpreting neonatal screening and confirmatory tests, but not frequency, were associated with higher proficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinicians demonstrated fair proficiency in interpreting drug tests. Predictors of proficiency were confidence and prior training for drug test interpretation, suggesting that educational interventions could improve proficiency.

Postpartum Extended-Release Buprenorphine Tissue Necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Extended-release buprenorphine (XRB) may improve medication for opioid use disorder continuation among postpartum individuals. However, obstetric clinicians have relatively little experience with XRB. We describe two cases of XRB-related tissue necrosis in postpartum individuals to highlight recommended injection technique and management strategies for this rare complication. CASES: One patient developed tissue necrosis after her initial injection. Her wound was expectantly managed. Another patient on long-term XRB developed tissue necrosis within 1 day of injection. General surgery excised the depot. Both instances were attributed to injection of XRB intradermally rather than subcutaneously. Both patients continued monthly XRB without recurrence, suggesting that this complication is not an allergy. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be able to prevent, recognize, and manage tissue necrosis, a rare complication of XRB injection.

The Fall of Roe v. Wade : The Addiction Specialist's Role in Championing Reproductive Rights.

Reproductive age-pregnant individuals who use substances are disproportionately impacted by the US Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade . Because of historic and ongoing discrimination against pregnant individuals who use substances, this group is at high risk for inadequate pregnancy options counseling and lack of access to safe and legal abortions. Fetal rights laws set a concerning precedent that further criminalize and penalize substance use in pregnancy. As addiction specialists, we have the professional responsibility to champion the reproductive freedoms of pregnant individuals who use substances. There are several ways that addiction specialists can uphold the reproductive rights of patients on an individual, state, and federal level, including the following: incorporate reproductive healthcare into addiction practices, help those seeking abortion navigate barriers, partner with perinatal healthcare clinicians to provide evidence-based addiction treatment during pregnancy, and support decriminalization and destigmatization of substance use, especially in pregnancy.

Office-Based Management of Perinatal Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder for the General Obstetrician-Gynecologist.

This is a review of substance use and substance use disorder in pregnancy, intended for the generalist obstetrician-gynecologist. Herein, the authors discuss legal considerations, outline definitions, review screening tools, introduce special considerations and harm reduction, caution the use of urinary toxicology testing, and touch on the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment model. Furthermore, the authors provide a brief overview of the prevalence, maternal and neonatal risks, and treatment approaches for commonly used substances.

Mifepristone for miscarriage treatment in Utah: A survey of clinician knowledge and assessment of an educational video on future use.

Objectives: We aimed to: (a) describe current use of mifepristone for early pregnancy loss (EPL) management in Utah, (b) identify predictors of knowledge pre- and posteducational video, and (c) explore postvideo impacts on the likelihood to use mifepristone. Mifepristone is subject to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirements. Methods: Between September 2020 and March 2021 we surveyed Utah clinicians from six specialties caring for people experiencing EPL, recruited through professional organizations and hospital listservs. Participants viewed a 3.5-minute educational video on mifepristone for EPL and completed pre- and postvideo questionnaires. We evaluated predictors of high prevideo and improved postvideo knowledge using random forest regression conditional importance measures and partial dependency plots. We described current mifepristone use and video effects on likelihood to use mifepristone. Results: Of 506 participants, most specialize in emergency medicine (172, 34%) and practice in private settings (253, 51%). Two-thirds had heard of mifepristone (328/471, 70%). Of 176/471 (37%) attempting provision of mifepristone, actual provision occurred for 59% (104/176). Baseline knowledge scores were low (mean 4.81/13 [37%] correct). Predictors of high prevideo knowledge include provision or attempted provision of mifepristone, having heard of mifepristone, providing EPL management expectantly or via medication, and specialty type. Mean postvideo knowledge scores improved by 3.27 points (68% improvement, paired t-test; 95% confidence interval 2.82-3.72, p < 0.0001). Postvideo, 66% (242/364) stated they are much more or somewhat more likely to use mifepristone, with compliance with FDA requirements cited as a barrier to utilization. Conclusions: Among Utah providers, baseline mifepristone knowledge and use for EPL management are low. An educational video improved knowledge and likelihood of use, but FDA REMS requirements continue to be a barrier to including mifepristone in medication management of EPL.