Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse say it all: More than 115 people in the United States die daily due to opioid overdose. To mitigate this growing epidemic, practices must have appropriate prescription policy measures.
Recent polls from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) found 84 percent of organizations have updated or implemented a new opioid prescription drug policy in the past three years. Also, 61 percent of opioid prescribing practices educate patients on misuse. While this is a step in the right direction, more can be done to ensure policies are effective.
Through survey data, case studies and interviews with practice leaders, MGMA noted three key focus areas practices should assess when modifying or developing opioid prescription drug policies.
- Communication: Keep the lines of communication open and clear to patients, providers, pharmacists and other staff. All parties should be clear on the proper use of opioid and how to identify opioid abuse.
- Technology: Medical practices that use prescription drug monitoring programs can better track opioid prescriptions and can also help identify patients who have received opioid prescriptions from other providers.
- Referral Management: Providers should be well aware of the capabilities and limitations of the other specialists, because this can help patients receive appropriate and satisfactory care.
“The opioid epidemic has become an unprecedented crisis in the United States and, as such, Americans need to come together to develop comprehensive solutions—at all levels,” said Halee Fischer-Wright, MD, president and CEO of MGMA. “Our goal with this report was to find the best ways in which medical practices and healthcare providers—those on the frontlines — can drive meaningful parts of solving this crisis. Through our research, we’ve put forward both current best practices for, and barriers to, preventing prescription opioid abuse and treating addiction. By arming practice leaders and healthcare providers with this information, we’re hopeful that they can be even more effective in fighting this epidemic at one of the most critical junctures: the point of care.”
As a senior news writer for TriMed, Subrata covers cardiology, clinical innovation and healthcare business. She has a master’s degree in communication management and 12 years of experience in journalism and public relations.