New opioids law includes grants for imaging-based pain management research
Grants to study imaging-based technology have been included in a recently signed law geared toward developing opioid alternatives for pain management. The inclusion was championed by the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) in a recent news release.
Within the law—SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act—is direction to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide assistance to hospitals and acute care facilities in creating and testing technologies such as ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and focused ultrasound therapy.
“Pain-management alternatives to opioids are key to solving this on-going crisis,” said Joe Robinson, chairman of the MITA Board of Directors and senior vice president of Health Systems Solutions at Philips Healthcare. “We’re encouraged by lawmakers’ commitment to support research and innovation that helps patients in pain while also mitigating addiction risk.”
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.