SCR4, Senator Kevin Van Tassell’s Concurrent Resolution on Deaths from Opioid-induced Postoperative Respiratory Depression, passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. The Resolution recognizes the devastating effects of the sudden death of Utah residents from this issue and urges further research while also encouraging physicians to prescribe in-home monitoring devices for patients who are discharged with opioids after surgery. This effort was initiated after the passing of Parker Stewart, a 21-year-old Vernal man, who passed away unexpectedly in his sleep just days after a tonsillectomy that he was recovering from just fine. The possibility that his death was related to respiratory depression from his prescribed narcotics came to light as his family and his surgeon, Dr. Michael Catten, sought for answers to why this happened. Parker’s family and Dr. Catten have worked closely with Senator Van Tassell to see SCR4 move forward during this legislative session. “I hope with the resolution to increase awareness on a state level,” shares Dr. Catten. “There is research that we are now doing to demonstrate the improved safety with home monitoring. A collaborative study with IHC, University of Utah, and our hospitals will look at the new home monitoring systems on a larger scale. I believe the monitoring will become standard practice for patients going home with narcotics.” SCR4 has moved to the House where it is sponsored by Representative Scott Chew.
