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Though methadone is often used to treat dependency on other opioids, the drug itself can be abused. Crushing or snorting methadone can achieve the opiate "rush" desired by addicts. Improper use such as these can lead to a dangerous dependency on methadone. This drug now accounts for nearly one-third of opioid-related deaths.
Though newer “smart” infusion pumps are increasingly becoming more sophisticated, they cannot prevent all programming and administration errors. Health care professionals that use smart infusion pumps must still practice the rights of medication administration and have other professionals double-check all high-risk infusions.
Medication errors are more common among seriously ill patients than with those with minor conditions.
Eat fiber! A diet high in fiber can help lower cholesterol levels by as much as 10%.
Between 1999 and 2012, American adults with high total cholesterol decreased from 18.3% to 12.9%