CDC released updated Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Pain on November 4. These updates replace previous guidelines published in 2016. Read the press release and access the guidelines here. The 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline addresses the following areas: 1) determining whether to initiate opioids for pain, 2) selecting opioids and determining opioid dosages, 3) deciding duration of initial opioid prescription and conducting follow-up, and 4) assessing risk and addressing potential harms of opioid use. Nursing home members in particular may find this information useful for sharing with attending physicians and medical directors, given the increased focus on opioids for pain management and opioid use disorder included in the June 2022 revision to the Requirements of Participation (RoPs) surveyor guidance.
