Reducing opioid use for chronic pain in older adults.

PURPOSE: Implementation of the SAFE PAIN algorithm for reducing opioid use for chronic pain in older adults is described. SUMMARY: A multidisciplinary team at Sheppard Pratt Health System, the largest private provider of psychiatric care in Maryland, used lean methodology to identify the root causes for noncompliance to evidence-based practices for patients in the geropsychiatry unit treated for osteoarthritis or chronic back pain. The team collaborated to develop a facility-specific treatment algorithm, called SAFE PAIN (Sheppard Pratt Health System Algorithm For Elderly Patient Centered Analgesia Interdisciplinary Nagara), was based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's evidence-based recommendations that included nonpharmacologic interventions as a first-line therapy for patients with osteoarthritis or chronic back pain. Rates of prescribing new opioids and prescribing evidence-based alternative medications via the SAFE PAIN algorithm were evaluated from March 1 to September 30, 2017 and compared with baseline (2012-2016). The lean methodology interventions led to zero new opioid orders during the study period, a significant decrease compared with previous years (p < 0.01). The rates of prescribing evidence-based alternative medications increased significantly from the baseline period to postimplementation (p < 0.01). Lean methodology interventions also decreased waste in several processes. CONCLUSION: The prescribing rate of new opioids for osteoarthritis and chronic back pain decreased and the prescribing rate for evidence-based medications increased after implementation of the SAFE PAIN algorithm in a geropsychiatry unit.

Optimizing Pain Management Through Opioid Deprescribing.

The use of opioid drug therapy in older adults has increased over the past decade. Although use of opioid drugs may be clinically warranted, ongoing use needs to be monitored closely to evaluate risks and benefits, especially with the potential for adverse events and misuse. An opioid drug deprescribing protocol would provide clinicians with a method to assess an individual's need for opioid agents, as well as a systematic process to taper opioid drug therapy when deemed appropriate. Although more than 60 studies have reported methods for deprescribing, there is currently no established guideline for discontinuing opioid medications. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has developed an algorithm to assist clinicians with opioid drug discontinuation decision making. As efforts to discontinue opioid drugs for chronic non-cancer pain in older adults continue to expand, nurses, as an integral part of the inter-professional team, will play a key role in monitoring and assessing patients' pain and care plans. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(1), 9-14.].

Lean Methodology Reduces Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotics for Agitation at a Psychiatric Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To Evaluate the Effects of Applying Lean Methodology-Improving Quality Increasing Efficiency by Eliminating Waste and Reducing Costs-An Approach To Decrease the Prescribing Frequency of Antipsychotics for The Indication of Agitation. DESIGN: Historically Controlled Study. SETTING: Bheppard Pratt Health System is the Largest Private Provider of Psychiatric Care in Maryland With a Total Bed Capacity of 300. There Were 4 337 Patient Days From November 1 2012 to October 31 2013 on the Dementia Unit. PATIENTS: All Patients Admitted on the Dementia Unit Were 65 Years of Age and Older with a Primary Diagnosis of Dementia. INTERVENTION: our Multidisciplinary Team Used Lean Methodology to Identify the Root Causes and Interventions Necessary to Reduce Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Primary Outcome Was Rate of Inappropriately Indicating Agitation as the Rationale When Prescribing Antipsychotic Medications. RESULTS: There Was a 90% (P < 0.001) Reduction in Rate Of Antipsychotic Prescribing with an Indication of Agitation. CONCLUSION: The Lean Methodology Interventions Led To A 90% (P < 0.001) Reduction in the Rate of Antipsychotic Prescribing with an Indication of Agitation and a 10% Rate Reduction in Overall Antipsychotic Prescribing. Key Words: Agitation Alzheimer's Antipsychotics Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services Dementia Root-cause Analysis. ABBREVIATIONS: BPSD = Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia CATIE-AD = Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness in Alzheimer's Disease EMR = Electronic Medical Records GAO = Government Accountability Office GNCIS = Geriatric Neuropsychiatric Clinical Indicator Scale.