Errors in opioid prescribing: a prospective survey in cancer pain.
BACKGROUND
Cancer pain is debilitating and has multidimensional consequences. It can be treated adequately in up to 90% of patients by following pain management guidelines. Nevertheless, inadequate pain control remains a global problem.


OBJECTIVE
We surveyed prescribing patterns in patients referred to our Palliative Medicine Program (PMP) to identify common errors in opioid use.


METHODS
Consecutive cancer patients seen by our PMP were prospectively surveyed for the presence of pain and errors in opioid prescribing at the time of initial consultation. Our recommendations to correct and optimize pain management also were recorded.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty-six consecutive cancer patients were screened. One hundred seventeen (63%) had cancer pain, 151 opioid prescribing errors were detected, and 147 different recommendations were made. Most common were failure to order around-the-clock opioids for constant pain, and the failure to treat or prevent opioid side effects. Multiple errors were more common in females, but the sex difference did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in the errors by pain severity or reason for consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
Opioid prescribing errors were common. Females may be at greater risk of multiple errors. A PM consultation program is effective in identifying and correcting a wide variety of opioid prescribing errors.
Shaheen
Philip E
PE
The Harry R Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine, Taussig Cancer Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Legrand
Susan B
SB
Walsh
Declan
D
Estfan
Bassam
B
Davis
Mellar P
MP
Lagman
Ruth L
RL
Riaz
Mohammad
M
Cheema
Bushra
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014213:Tretoquinol; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014213:Tretoquinol