By now, every medical practice leader in the nation has completed the "school of hard knocks" apprenticeship in Crisis Management, compliments of COVID-19. Hopefully, most have made it through unscathed and learned a lot in the process. Now that the pandemic waves appear to be subsiding, some medical office managers may be wondering whether to relax protocols and get back to pre-pandemic normalcy, stay on course, or prepare for new possible threats. The answers will present themselves in due time. 

For health care professionals, opioid addiction is a complex problem that requires careful physician monitoring because of the dangerous side effects. The Federal government has issued safety warnings and guidance for physicians to address the opioid crisis. Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to physicians and health care professionals not to abruptly discontinue opioids in patients who are dependent. The FDA also required label changes to guide prescribers on gradual, individualized tapering.