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. 2011 Aug;30(8):1420-4.
doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0759.

Group Health's initiative to avert opioid misuse and overdose among patients with chronic noncancer pain

Claire E Trescott  1 , Randi M Beck, Michelle D Seelig, Michael R Von Korff
Affiliations

Group Health's initiative to avert opioid misuse and overdose among patients with chronic noncancer pain

Claire E Trescott et al. Health Aff (Millwood). 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Increased opioid prescribing for chronic pain that is not due to cancer has been accompanied by large increases in abuse and overdose of prescription opioids. This paper describes how Group Health, a Seattle-based nonprofit health care system, implemented a major initiative to make opioid prescribing safer. In the initiative's first nine months, clinicians developed documented care plans for almost 6,000 patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. Evaluation of the initiative's effects on care processes and trends in adverse events is under way.

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Comment in

  • Appropriate care for chronic pain.
    Christopher MJ. Christopher MJ. Health Aff (Millwood). 2011 Nov;30(11):2216; author reply 2216. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.1100. Health Aff (Millwood). 2011. PMID: 22068414 No abstract available.

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