Date of Award
Spring 5-16-2025
Document Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Joseph F. Burkard, DNSc, CRNA, EBP-C
Abstract
Implementing a Provider Education Program for Opioid Medication Management
Mitra Akhavan Taylor, BSN, RN
Joseph F. Burkard, DNSc, CRNA, EBP-C, AACN Health Policy Fellow
Introduction: Continuing health provider education is an important intervention supported by health policy to counter the opioid epidemic. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to create and implement an opioid prescribing program in line with California and Federal regulations in response to the opioid epidemic. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of the program and EMR template and guidelines on opioid prescribing practices. The motivation behind this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve documentation of controlled substances prescribed for patients, abide by prescription drug monitoring programs such as CURES, implement and document pain contracts consistently, document patient medication risk education and regularly screen patients for urine drug screening.
Background/significance: Chronic pain is a nationwide epidemic affecting individuals in various aspects of life. In 2017, opioid-related deaths accounted for 68% of the total drug overdose deaths in the United States. From 1999 to 2017 the annual number of overdose deaths related to opioids increased more than 600%. Commonly prescribed opioids continue to play a significant role in the epidemic, and interventions to improve opioid prescribing processes should be a priority. Time constraints in the clinic setting result in limited interventions for pain management, which can lead to opioid abuse or opioid use disorders. Time constraints in clinic can also contribute to inefficient follow up with patients suffering with chronic pain who are prescribed opioids. Creating and implementing an education program and an EMR template will help to improve documentation for controlled substances prescribed for patients, and thus, improve patient safety and patient outcomes.
Methods: In a small outpatient clinic setting in North County San Diego a comprehensive provider education program and EMR template was created and implemented between October 2024 and January 2025. An individual meeting was held prior to the start of the program to introduce and review the details and at the end of the program to debrief. A validated scale, The Opioid Medication Management Safety Scale, was used at two time periods throughout the program: pre-program and post-program. The process proceeded for four months concluding with program evaluation.
Outcomes achieved: Data was obtained pre-program and post-program to compare the effectiveness of the provider education program and EMR template. Based on the retrospective pre and post assessment, the providers were receptive to the education program and to the EMR template. Results indicated utilization of the education program and the EMR template from October 2024 to January 2025 improved documentation for all categories, as evidenced by pre and post data.
Evaluation of Results: An EMR template specific to opioid medication management allows for improved documentation, consistent with California and Federal regulations. Data collection prior to project implementation provided a comparison pre and post intervention.
Implications for Clinical Practice: Using a multimodal education framework and strategies can improve clinical practice and should be considered for all healthcare-related education, in various clinical settings.
Conclusions: The provider education program and EMR template intervention seems to be both practical and effective in improving documentation, which can lead to improved patient safety, decrease utilization of opioid medications, and thus, improved patient outcomes.
Keywords: Pain, chronic pain, nurse practitioner, electronic medical record, cures, prescription drug monitoring programs, improving patient outcomes, opioid use disorder.
Digital USD Citation
Taylor, Mitra A., "Implementing a Provider Education Program for Opioid Medication Management" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts. 318.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/dnp/318
Copyright
Copyright held by the author
