Implementation of a pharmacist-driven pain management consultation service for hospitalised adults with a history of substance abuse.
BACKGROUND
Pain management in adult patients with concomitant substance use disorders (SUDs) presents a clinical challenge in the absence of objective assessment criteria. Effective pain management is dependent on the clinician's ability to differentiate true pain symptoms from manipulative behaviours. Successful strategies for achieving effective pain control in these patients include implementing a multidisciplinary team approach, use of non-opioid and non-pharmacologic alternatives, and judicious use of opioid analgesics.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the implementation of a pharmacist-driven pain management service for patients with concomitant SUDs.


METHODS
In an urban teaching hospital located in Trenton, New Jersey, United States, a clinical pharmacist-led pain management service evolved to provide formal consultation. Standardised assessment and treatment approaches were developed to assure consistency. Multidisciplinary education was provided to the medical staff.


METHODS
The study describes a variety of patterns associated with the program from its pilot period through the first 6 years of service, including opioid utilisation, volume and source of consultations, and multidisciplinary perceptions regarding the program's impact.


RESULTS
The establishment of a pharmacist-led pain management consult service successfully addressed patient's needs while modifying drug-seeking behaviours. A significant decrease in opioid usage was noted during the program's pilot period and sustained over time. The program's success has extended the pharmacist's role beyond the program's initial scope to address general pain management needs and to address educational needs of the medical staff. Today, clinical pharmacists are utilised most often for refractory cases for which the most appropriate method of pain management may not be clear.
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey.
L B
LB
Andrews
M B
MB
Bridgeman
K S
KS
Dalal
D
D
Abazia
C
C
Lau
D F
DF
Goldsmith
D
D
St John
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009515:New Jersey; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014504:Urban Health
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid