Negating Opioid and Pain Actively Through Intervention

Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent and debilitating medical conditions and opioid analgesics are a commonly prescribed class of medications in the United States. Opioid efficacy has been proven in terms of managing acute and chronic pain; however, opioid overdose deaths, addictions, and diversions have all continued to increase over the years. The purpose of this study is to increase patient engagement in pain management and education, and to decrease opioid use by 10% over the study period. This study will also help present opportunities for future studies to obtain insight regarding the chronic use of opioids.

The institutional review board has approved this prospective single-center study at a large 900-bed academic university medical center. The electronic medical record system will identify 300 patients, who are at least 18 years of age, with a history of opioid use for 3 or more months, or who are currently prescribed and are using long-acting or extended release opioids. Procedures by student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and pharmacists will include reviewing medical records and prescription drug monitoring programs for the use of opioids, evaluating baseline pain, quality of life, and satisfaction via questionnaires and assessment questions, and performing thorough medication consultations on current opioid regimens. Education of pain and promotion of adjunct and non-pharmacologic alternative therapies will be completed to engage patients in assessing their pain and seeing the effectiveness of their treatment. Patients will receive 3 follow-up interventions: 2 phone calls with a pharmacist or student pharmacist at weeks 2 and 6, and a follow-up visit with a pain or primary care physician. Opioid usage, pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction will be assessed. The primary outcome measured will be a decrease in opioid usage in morphine milligram equivalents. Secondary outcomes include change in quality of life and patient satisfaction.