Nurse Practitioners Urge Increased Education and Advocacy to Combat Opioid Epidemic in New York
New York (July 18, 2017) — Heroin and opiates are now reported to be the leading cause of accidental death in New York State, outnumbering homicides. Nurse practitioners are among health care providers on the front lines of this devastating epidemic. The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State, which includes nurse practitioners from across the state, is calling for a multifaceted approach for safe and effective pain management and prevention of opioid misuse and abuse.
Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP, associate dean of clinical affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing and executive director of the Nurse Practitioner Association New York State, says, “Nurse practitioners are well prepared to approach patients experiencing acute and chronic pain and opioid use disorders by incorporating the latest pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic evidence-based treatment modalities. Our goal is to obtain the best pain management and safer usage of opioids as well as screen and continually assess for abuse and misuse.”
The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State Recommendations Include:
• Mandatory continuing education for nurse practitioners regarding the management of acute and chronic pain, safe prescription of opioids and the treatment and recognition of opioid use disorders.
• Safe practices for patients requiring pain management. This includes, non-pharmacological and non-opioid therapy for treatment of chronic pain whenever possible. Physical therapy, exercise, yoga, tai chi, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture and biofeedback can provide significant benefit to many patients with chronic pain. Opioids should only be prescribed when the benefit for improved pain and physical function outweighs the risks.
• Patient education prior to the start of opioid therapy and setting goals of treatment for pain management. Provide an opioid treatment agreement that delineates patient and provider treatment expectations. Educate patients regarding proper storage of opioid medications, including lock box and disposal of unused medications. Narcan® (naloxone) should be readily accessible to patients receiving opioids for pain control as well as their families.
• Safe practices for those with opioid use disorders. Nurse practitioners should develop competencies in bio-psychosocial approaches to care, screening tools, diagnostic tools and treatment protocols. In addition, nurse practitioners should develop competencies in Medication Assisted Treatment protocols by combining behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance abuse disorders such as Suboxone® (buprenorphine).
• Advocacy for insurance coverage for non-pharmacological treatments. This includes increased access and insurance coverage for inpatient, outpatient and non-pharmacological methods of treatment of acute and chronic pain as well as treatment of opioid use disorder.
The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who have completed advanced education, at a Master’s or Doctorate level, plus additional preparation. These professionals are authorized to independently diagnose illness and physical conditions, perform therapeutic and corrective measures, order tests, prescribe medications, devices and immunizing agents, and refer patients to other health care providers. The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (NPA), the only statewide professional association of nurse practitioners, promotes high standards of healthcare delivery through the empowerment of Nurse Practitioners and the profession throughout New York State.
Source: The Nurse Practitioner Association New York State