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A survey from Vizient identifies top strategies for the treatment of pain.
Hospitals need to have a multidisciplinary, opioid stewardship program with appropriate resources and authority, according to a new survey.
A survey of 92 Vizient member hospital and health system leaders across the country helps show steps they have taken to address the opioid crisis, what is working, and the barriers that still need to be overcome to more effectively mitigate misuse, addiction and overdoses.
“This study identifies strategies that healthcare leaders find effective in our fight against the opioid epidemic,” says Jim Lichauer, project manager, performance improvement collaboratives and advisory for Vizient.
According to the survey:
Related: Six Ways to Effectively Manage Pain During an Opioid Epidemic
The programs hospital respondents have most commonly implemented in the last 12 months to address the opioid epidemic include:
What is needed first is to transform prescribing to align with evidence-based guidelines and reduce the supply of opioids in the community, according to Lichauer.
Top strategies
The study identifies top strategies of improved prescriber education, improved monitoring, and expanded options for the treatment of pain.
An opioid stewardship program should include: