In a 99-1 vote, the U.S. Senate on September 17 passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (OCRA). The bill includes a provision to support the development of ultrasound-guided technologies for pain management as an alternative to opioids.
OCRA directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support hospitals and other acute care providers in developing alternative pain management protocols such as ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and focused ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia helps clinicians deliver pain relief without opioids, and ultrasound therapy can be effective in suppressing nerve activity to relieve both acute and chronic pain.
"What the federal government can do is create an environment so that everyone -- governors, judges, counselors, law enforcement, doctors, nurses, and families -- can succeed in fighting the crisis," said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), who introduced the legislation in April.
The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) praised the senators for including the bill's ultrasound provision.
"We commend the Senate's support of this legislation as it will spur the development of new therapies meant to help patients better manage their pain while reducing the need for opioids in the emergency room," said Joe Robinson, chair of MITA's board of directors, in a statement released by the organization.
