Mitigating the opioid crisis for the lower extremity provider opioid stewardship programs

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Opioid analgesics are effective for pain but overprescribing poses significant public health risks.
• Balancing the benefits and risks of opioid prescribing presents a complex challenge for healthcare providers.
• Addressing the opioid crisis necessitates an interprofessional team approach and systemic changes in prescribing culture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore responsible opioid pain management strategies.
• To introduce and validate a novel acronym, MORPHINE, for guiding opioid prescribing.
• To provide evidence-based support for the proposed MORPHINE acronym in lower extremity pain management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on opioid stewardship programs and pain management guidelines.
• Development and clinical evidence-based defense of the MORPHINE acronym.
• Analysis of current opioid prescribing practices and their impact.

Main Results:

• Opioid stewardship programs offer a framework to improve opioid prescribing quality and address cultural practices.
• The MORPHINE acronym is proposed as a tool to shape prescription opioid strategies for lower extremity pain.
• Identifying gaps in quality and development is key to implementing effective change.

Conclusions:

• Opioid stewardship principles are essential for podiatric medicine and surgery.
• Practicing lower extremity providers must acknowledge the potential harms of opioid prescribing.
• Implementing structured programs and tools like MORPHINE can promote safer opioid use.