New guidelines for opioids introduced PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society has introduced new guidelines for prescribing opioids to residents of the state with a focus on injured athletes.Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf was at UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh Thursday for the announcement of the new standards, which were designed to curb abuse of the powerful painkillers.As an alternative to opioids, the guidelines call for exercise, acupuncture and non-opioid medication to treat pain.The state’s association of orthopedic doctors also believes athletes with injuries severe enough to consider opioid treatment shouldn’t be eligible to return to the field of play.,b>Agency sues over audits of grantsHARRISBURG — A nonprofit agency that helps fund counseling of pregnant women about alternatives to abortion and provides related services is suing Pennsylvania’s fiscal watchdog over a financial audit.Harrisburg-based Real Alternatives has asked Commonwealth Court to prevent Auditor General Eugene DePasquale from examining money it was paid from its network of about 27 vendors.DePasquale said Thursday he wants to get more information about the use of the payments, which amount to 3 percent of the state money the contractors receive through Real Alternatives.