title: Guideline for Prescribing Opioids to Treat Pain in Injured Workers.
abstract: Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of opioids to treat chronic noncancer pain. Opioids are also being prescribed in stronger potencies and larger doses for musculoskeletal injuries. In some cases, the use of opioids for work-related injuries may actually increase the likelihood of disability. Chronic opioid use is associated with increased risk for overdose morbidity and mortality and other nonfatal adverse outcomes. The risk of dependence and addiction is much more common than previously thought. This guideline provides recommendations for prudent opioid prescribing and addresses issues critical to the care and rehabilitation of injured workers.
authors.affiliation: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jaymie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.affiliation: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Neurology and Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: fral235@lni.wa.gov.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.affiliation: Division of Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tauben
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Acute pain; Addiction; Chronic pain; Injured workers; Opioids; Surgical pain; Workers’ compensation