I read in a recent news article that cities in West Virginia are planning on suing Joint Commission, which is an accrediting body for healthcare organizations, for helping to fuel opioid addictions and downplaying the dangers of prescription painkillers.
One of the main reasons why fingers are being pointed at Joint Commission is because they made pain a 5th vital sign that must be addressed in healthcare institutions. This was a very important move they made, because pain indeed is an important vital sign. If you do not control pain then this could lead to serious complications such as increased blood pressure, delirium and more. Pain is not something that can be ignored! There are many people out there who deal with chronic pain that affects their daily living and that must be extremely difficult. At least if their pain is controlled they could function normally on a daily basis like the rest of us.
Also I think many of us forget that opioids ARE NOT the only good painkillers out there. We still have acetaminophen also known as Tylenol, Advil, steroids, anti-convulsants and more. It is our job as clinicians to ensure we utilize such pain killers before going to opioids because of their potential for abuse.
The Joint Commission is not responsible for prescribing opioids or educating on their risks. EVERY medication in this world has risks, not just opioids it is our job as clinicians to educate patients about these risks, not Joint Commission. Also it is important for pharmaceutical companies who make these products to emphasize not only benefits but potential risks. Just because opioids have certain risks, doesn’t make them horrible drugs.
Opioids are fantastic medications for controlling pain, especially in patients with cancer. We cannot allow fear to hinder the efficacy of these medications.
What really needs to be done to address the opioid crisis is spreading awareness about the benefits and risks of opioids and educate clinicians how to properly address pain management. In addition, it is important we emphasize to our patients to not take any medications that are NOT prescribed to them. Although one medication is good for someone it could be harmful to the next person. Also heroin is the main cause of opioid-related deaths and something needs to be done about the people selling heroin. Especially when it is as easy as buying it on the internet.
–Ms RxGeek
Kgrant