Geriatric Pain in the News Cheryl Phillips, MD, and President of the American Geriatrics Society recommends changes to Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) policy regarding the use of pain medications in nursing homes.
March 24, 2010 Source: American Geriatrics Society
Dr. Cheryl Phillips testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in an attempt to highlight the issue of nursing home residents in severe pain not receiving pain relief in a timely manner. Dr. Phillips indicated that under current DEA policy a physician working in a hospital can give a nurse a “verbal order” for a narcotic pain medication for a patient in extreme pain so the medication can be dispensed immediately. The physician then has until the end of the following day to sign the “written order.” However, DEA currently does not recognize this practice in LTC settings. The current process for LTC requires a series of additional steps which extends the time needed to approve a narcotic and often causes the patient additional suffering. Dr. Phillips asked “that Congress provide a legislative solution to ensure that long-term care patients in acute or escalating pain receive the medications they need without delay.” Full story.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) delaying and in some cases preventing nursing home patients from getting the pain medication they need.
According to a survey released by the Quality Care Coalition for Patients in Pain (QCCPP), nearly two thirds of physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and other clinicians say that DEA procedures are resulting in delays in getting pain medication to their patients. The report "Patients in Pain: How U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Rules Harm Patients in Nursing Facilities" explains how and to what extent DEA rules affect patients in nursing facilities, and focuses on long-term care, and those receiving hospice services.
"Current DEA rules and procedures frequently prevent or delay nursing home patients in severe pain from receiving the medication they need," stated Ross Brickley, RPh, MBA, CGP, president of CCRx of NC, Inc. and former president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, founder of the QCCPP. "Without action by DEA or, if DEA won't act, by Congress, nursing home patients will continue to suffer," he added. Full story.