Redesigning Delivery of Opioids to Optimize Pain Management, Improve Outcomes, and Contain Costs

• Published in: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 36 - 42
• Main Authors: Cahana, Alex, Dansie, Elizabeth J., Theodore, Brian R., Wilson, Hilary D., Turk, Dennis C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-01-2013
• Subjects: Accountable Care; Analgesics, Opioid - economics; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Care Models; Coordinated Care; Cost Control - methods; Economics; Guidelines; Health Care Costs - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Narcotics; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Management - economics; Pain Management - methods; Patient Assessment; Patient Care Team - economics; Patient Care Team - organization & administration; Public health; Quality Improvement - economics; Quality Improvement - organization & administration; Risk reduction; Telehealth; Washington; Washington
• ISSN: 1526-2375; 1526-4637
• DOI: 10.1111/pme.12013

Introduction
Chronic pain is a public health concern, and in the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the use and abuse of prescription opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain.
Methods
We present an overview of a five‐component model of pain management implemented at the University of Washington Division of Pain Medicine designed to facilitate recent state guidelines to reduce the risks associated with long‐term use of prescription opioids.
Results
Central to the model described are guidelines for best clinical practice, a collaborative care approach, telehealth solutions, comprehensive prescription‐monitoring, and measurement‐based care.
Discussion
The model presented is a patient‐centered, efficient, and cost‐effective approach to the management of chronic pain.