Opinion
Video
Optimizing Pain Assessment: Tools and Risk Mitigation
Experts discuss opioid use with a focus on validated assessment tools, monitoring strategies, and risk mitigation practices, delving into the complexities of pain scales and emphasizing the need for functional assessments.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT.
Haumschild discusses the importance of evaluating and incorporating validated assessment tools for opioid use management. Abel addresses the limitations of unidimensional pain scales and emphasizes the need for functional pain assessment tools, especially for cognitively intact adults. She highlights challenges in pediatric and nonverbal patient populations, suggesting the evaluation of literature and patient needs for appropriate tool selection. Haumschild acknowledges the need for more validated scales across diverse populations. Mitchell explores risk assessment tools and their purpose in identifying patients at higher risk for opioid misuse. She mentions tools like the Opioid Risk Tool and the Risk Index for Overdose or Serious Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression. Mitchell emphasizes the importance of considering the clinical impact of identifying a patient as high risk and aligning risk stratification with actionable goals. Haumschild emphasizes the significance of having clear goals and ensuring that risk stratification leads to actionable interventions in patient care.
This summary was AI-generated and reviewed by Pharmacy Times® editorial staff.
