The opioid crisis "a unique American problem". This piece uncovers the origin of some of the misinformation about opioids, the consequences of calling pain a "fifth vital sign" and the absurd practice of waking patients up in the middle of the night to ask them if they are in any pain.

As these factors combined fatalities started to spiral into the crisis we see today. Recent statistics make for grim reading, in 2017 it was estimated over 47,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose. However action is now being taken; learn how The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) has pushed forward with a sensible, responsible, pain management strategy which tackles the crisis head on.

Opioids are a last resort, many cases do not need them at all and a 30 day prescription to a highly addictive substance is something practitioners should never take lightly. Furthermore ensure patients are well informed, not 'opioid naive' and ideally do not have a family history of opioid dependence.

If you enjoyed this piece we have more on the topic here: https://www.topmedtalk.com/periop-coach-3-06-is-pain-the-fifth-vital-sign/

Also, if you've not yet heard Paul Wishmeyer's powerful take on this topic we highly reccomend you go here: https://www.topmedtalk.com/treating-patients-properly-ebpom-usa/

The Center For Disease Control's guidelines, mentioned in this piece, are here: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html

The PDF our guest mentions "The PAIN MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE REPORT" is here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pain-mgmt-best-practices-draft-final-report-05062019.pdf

This piece was part of our coverage of The AANA 2019 Annual Congress in Chicago, Illinois.

Check out the AANA here: https://www.aana.com/

Presented by Monty Mythen and Desiree Chappell with their guest, Bruce Schoneboom, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, Associate Dean for Practice, Innovation and Leadership at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

--

EBPOM "Live from London" - the hottest tickets in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine - go now to the website: https://www.ebpom.org/EBPOM2020