Title : Implementation of a non-opioid pain management protocol for chronic pain
Abstract:
The lack of caution in prescribing opioid medications for patients with chronic pain contributes to the misuse and addiction of opioid substances. The use of opioid pain medications presents risk, such as overdose and opioid use disorder. This project aimed to implement a quality improvement project for non-opioid pain management in adult patients with chronic pain over three months. The protocol was implemented in a non-profit, rural family practice clinic. This clinic is located in a small county in southwest Virginia. In the chosen practice area, there is a high rate of opioid use, abuse, and overdose. Throughout the implementation period, the non-opioid pain management protocol was implemented on 23 patients. The results of this project demonstrate the effectiveness of a non-opioid pain management protocol in the management of chronic pain. The patients reported a one-to-two-point decrease in pain severity and interference in daily life activities after the implementation of the non-opioid pain management protocol. The patients included in this protocol reported a 28.3% increase in pain relief received from medications and/or other treatment methods. The implementation of a non-opioid pain management protocol offers a safer, yet effective treatment option for patients with chronic non-cancerous pain.The lack of caution in prescribing opioid medications for patients with chronic pain contributes to the misuse and addiction of opioid substances. The use of opioid pain medications presents risk, such as overdose and opioid use disorder. This project aimed to implement a quality improvement project for non-opioid pain management in adult patients with chronic pain over three months. The protocol was implemented in a non-profit, rural family practice clinic. This clinic is located in a small county in southwest Virginia. In the chosen practice area, there is a high rate of opioid use, abuse, and overdose. Throughout the implementation period, the non-opioid pain management protocol was implemented on 23 patients. The results of this project demonstrate the effectiveness of a non-opioid pain management protocol in the management of chronic pain. The patients reported a one-to-two-point decrease in pain severity and interference in daily life activities after the implementation of the non-opioid pain management protocol. The patients included in this protocol reported a 28.3% increase in pain relief received from medications and/or other treatment methods. The implementation of a non-opioid pain management protocol offers a safer, yet effective treatment option for patients with chronic non-cancerous pain.
