Lombardo Administration Criticized for Inadequate Opioid Infant Care

Audit Reveals Gaps in Nevada’s Oversight of Care Plans for Opioid-Affected Infants

A recent legislative audit has highlighted deficiencies in the oversight of care plans for infants impacted by opioid exposure, a responsibility falling under the office of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.

The state mandates that healthcare providers formulate treatment plans for infants born with opioid-related complications. These plans should cater to both the infants’ needs and those of their mothers or caregivers.

The oversight of these plans is entrusted to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), which is tasked with reviewing and ensuring the implementation of these care strategies. However, the audit revealed that DPBH has not fulfilled this role effectively.

Among the 20 reviewed care plans, a significant 20% lacked documentation of any services or referrals provided to the opioid-affected infants. Furthermore, 45% of these plans did not confirm offering treatment referrals to the mothers, and no evidence was found to indicate that DPBH had monitored or reviewed the execution of these plans.

These oversights pose both human and financial risks: infants might not be receiving necessary care, and non-compliance with regulations could threaten federal funding designated for opioid prevention initiatives.

The audit findings were disclosed in April, yet the Lombardo administration has not issued an update or corrective action plan regarding these identified deficiencies.

In the previous year, Nevada reported a provisional total of 1,056 drug overdose fatalities, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While nationwide overdose death rates have generally declined, Nevada’s reduction has been minimal or stagnant compared to the broader national trend.

Governor Lombardo is currently campaigning for re-election. His opponent, the state’s Attorney General Aaron Ford, has played a key role in securing $1.2 billion in opioid settlements for Nevada.

The post Lombardo administration fell short on infant opioid care appeared first on American Journal News.

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