Patient Selection

PATIENT MANAGEMENT TOOL KIT OPIOID ANALGESIA

NIPC

American Pain Foundation

Patient Selection

Clinical Pearls
- Opioid therapy may be appropriate
  - For patients with persistent pain despite reasonable trials of nonopioid analgesics and adjuvants
  - For moderate to severe pain (≥4–5 on a 10-point scale)
  - When use of other analgesics is contraindicated
  - When benefits of opioid therapy are likely to outweigh risks based upon comprehensive assessment
- Always rely on your clinical judgment when deciding whether a patient should or should not receive opioid therapy—risk assessment tools should be used as a guide
- Document and justify your decision-making processes and rationale for starting the patient on opioid therapy
Tools

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Remember: in all cases, rely on your clinical judgment and individualize treatment to each patient.