Guest Blog - Don't Be a Human Pin Cushion
- Kathleen Heren
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
CBS recently ran a story about Pain Clinics. It told the story of a 56-year-old woman who lives in Tennessee. For privacy purposes, we will refer to her as Mrs. Brown. Each month, she would go to a pain clinic to receive shots that ended up making her backache worse. The clinic suggested she should take prescription opioids, which they told her would control the pain. Mrs. Brown became dependent on these medications since she injured her back in a fall a decade ago.
In a sworn courtroom testimony, Mrs. Brown said the Clinic would only agree to prescribe pain killers if she decided to receive 3 or 4 excruciating injections of another medicine along her spine. The clinic claimed the injections were steroids, which would work in tandem with the opioids. Mrs. Brown eventually tried to decline the shots, to which the clinic issued an ultimatum: take the shots or get her pain pills somewhere else. She felt she had nowhere to go and complied with their demands.
Mrs. Brown was among thousands of patients of Pain MD, a multistate pain management company. The company was the largest user of what it called “tendon origin" injections, which target the area where a tendon attaches to a muscle, often to relieve pain and inflammation.
This type of steroid injection was intended for use only once to relieve joint stiffness or pain. This was at a time when many physicians were scaling back on their use of prescription painkillers due to the opioid crisis. Pain MD continued to use monthly injections, claiming the shots would relieve the pain, which would make the patient less dependent on painkillers.
Now, the once-reputable Pain MD has been unveiled as a central figure in a vast web of deceit, as documented in court records. This revelation detailed a decade-long scheme perpetrated by the company, where employees have either admitted guilt or faced conviction for extensive healthcare fraud.
Driven by the lure of substantial financial gain, Pain MD discovered that certain injections, such as the tendon origin treatment, could be billed at exorbitant rates, leading to a disturbing pattern of behavior. The company appeared to transform some patients into 'a human pin cushion,' subjecting them to needless procedures for profit. The court characterized Pain MD's actions as particularly nefarious, highlighting their strategy of entrenching patients in a cycle of opioid dependency, ensuring they remained ensnared and unwilling to seek alternative care.
I want to emphasize that the majority of pain clinics in Rhode Island are well-established and demonstrate a strong commitment to patient care. They are adept at identifying individuals who are merely seeking drugs for non-medical purposes and are quick to take appropriate action to discharge them. It's essential to recognize that opioid addiction is a pervasive issue that can affect individuals of any age, including our vulnerable elderly population. Tragically, many older adults continue to consume alcohol, often unaware of the dangerous and potentially lethal combination it poses with opioid use.
Families who suspect that a loved one may be grappling with any form of substance addiction should not hesitate to bring their concerns to the attention of the patient's physician or clinic. Dr. Philip Chan of the Rhode Island Health Department stresses the critical importance of being prepared; he strongly advises that family members of those struggling with addiction carry Narcan, since 80% of overdoses occur in the safety of one’s home.
In conclusion, it's essential to understand that addiction can insidiously take hold of individuals, often without warning, leading them down a perilous path. Physicians must prioritize preventive measures and education to help combat this grave issue.
Sincerely,
Kathy Heren
Ms. Heren, who has recently retired as the Rhode Island State Long Term Care Ombudsman, leverages her extensive experience to contribute insightful guest blogs on critical issues affecting seniors and long-term care. Her writings in Connelly Law's blog section cover a wide range of topics she encountered during her professional journey, offering readers valuable perspectives and practical advice. It’s important to note that the insights and opinions presented in these blogs are those of Ms. Heren and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Attorney RJ Connelly III or any Connelly Law Offices, Ltd. team members. If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
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