Group Health in Seattle has developed a plan to curb overpresciption of opioids that focuses on physician-patient communication rather than prosecution, a Pain Medicine News report said.
The program, which was initiated in Sept. 2010, asks physicians to track the expectations and outcomes of noncancer patients receiving opioids so both parties have evidence of the success and failure of certain treatments. Among other things, physicians have been asked to document expectations that have been agreed upon by both the physician and the patient, to agree on a medication regimen, to develop a schedule for follow-up visits and to conduct UDTs.
As of Sept. 2011, Group Health's physicians have developed plans for 6,000 patients.
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As of Sept. 2011, Group Health's physicians have developed plans for 6,000 patients.
Related Articles on Opioids:
Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Abuse Cost U.S. More Than $323 Billion a Year
Study Finds Opioid Use Higher in Unemployed, Less Educated
Opioids Linked to Pneumonia in Older Adults