A task force recently announced it’s adopting the CDC’s guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain. It includes its outline for evaluation, consultation and documentation.
“They’ve spent years sifting through the information,” Dr. Jim Shames, medical director of Jackson County Health & Human Services says, “they’ve listened to the pharmaceutical industry, they’ve listened to specialists and they’ve come up with 42 pages of well examined guidelines.”
Dr. Shames adds, this allows health care providers statewide to be on the same page.
“It’s difficult work to both treat pain and treat people who are on opioids for pain and do it safely,” Dr. Shames says, “and I think we need to do it with a common vision and a common understanding of what are best practices.”
The CDC’s guidelines are extensive, and cover recommendations for doctors and staff as well as patients. To learn more click HERE.
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