title: Pain management and opioid risk mitigation in the military.
abstract: Opioid analgesics misuse is a significant military health concern recognized as a priority issue by military leadership. Opioids are among those most commonly prescribed medications in the military for pain management. The military has implemented opioid risk mitigation strategies, including the Sole Provider Program and the Controlled Drug Management Analysis and Reporting Tool, which are used to identify and monitor for risk and misuse. However, there are substantial opportunities to build on these existing systems to better ensure safer opioid prescribing and monitor for misuse. Opioid risk mitigation strategies implemented by the civilian sector include establishing clinical guidelines for opioid prescribing and prescription monitoring programs. These strategies may help to inform opioid risk mitigation in the military health system. Reducing the risk of opioid misuse and improving quality of care for our Warfighters is necessary. This must be done through evidence-based approaches with an investment in research to improve patient care and prevent opioid misuse as well as its sequelae.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharpe Potter
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
authors.forename: Vikhyat S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Bebarta
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.
authors.forename: Elise N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, 2200 Bergquist Drive, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78236.
authors.forename: Rosemarie G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D059408:Pain Management; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid