Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This interactive, web-based training features self-paced learning, case-based content, knowledge checks, and integrated resources to help healthcare providers gain a deeper understanding of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. Find tips on implementing the Guideline in primary care practice and overcoming challenges. Earn free CE.
Clinical practice guidelines encourage use of the PDMP prior to prescribing to assess a patient’s history of controlled substance use. It is possible to improve the way opioids are prescribed, reducing the number of people who misuse, abuse, or overdose from them, while making sure patients have access to safe, effective pain management. A prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) is an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions. PDMPs can help identify patients who may be misusing prescription opioids or other prescription drugs and who may be at risk for overdose.
North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF)
The North American Thrombosis Forum is dedicated to saving lives through education and prevention. A major part of this is helping healthcare professionals stay up-to-date on the latest research in the rapidly changing field of thrombosis. Through educational events and informative articles geared specifically towards clinicians, NATF provides clinicians with the information they need to best treat their patients. Topics covered include thrombosis, stroke prevention, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, cardiovascular-related illnesses, and more. Check back regularly for important updates on everything from the development of new medications, to the release of novel research.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
This website provides many resources related to blood clot education and prevetion:
The Joint Commission: Sentinel Event Alert
While DOACs offer ease of use to patients, stopping bleeding events in patients on DOACs is more complicated, requiring different strategies than those for patients on warfarin (Coumadin®) and heparin. Unlike the more widely available reversal agents for warfarin and heparin, reversal agents for DOACs are lesser known and may not be available in every care setting. Also, some DOACs have no FDA-approved reversal agent at this time. Therefore, bleeding complications can be severe if these patients are not assessed according to guidelines on the management of DOACs. Intracranial hemorrhage is the most serious emergent bleeding risk.
In response to an increase in adverse events related to these widely prescribed medications, this alert provides guidance on the safe use and management of DOACs to all medical practitioners and health care organization leaders, particularly chief medical officers, pharmacists, emergency department clinicians, and quality and safety officers.
Anticoagulation FORUM
Established more than 25 years ago, the Anticoagulation Forum is the largest organization of its kind helping practitioners improve patient care by providing current and relevant information on best practices. The flagship program, the Anticoagulation Centers of Excellence, embodies our commitment to the clinical application of evidence-based practices and improved patient outcomes. Expert Guidance is provided by the Board of Directors, who are regularly relied upon for their expert opinion. Their contributions to research and guideline development have influenced all aspects of anticoagulation therapy.
National Blood Clot Alliance
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Pulmonary embolism resulting from deep vein thrombosis—collectively referred to as venous thromboembolism—is the most common preventable cause of hospital death. Pharmacologic methods to prevent venous thromboembolism are safe, effective, cost-effective, and advocated by authoritative guidelines, yet large prospective studies continue to demonstrate that these preventive methods are significantly underused. Based on quality improvement initiatives undertaken at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and Emory University Hospitals, this guide assists quality improvement practitioners in leading an effort to improve prevention of one of the most important problems facing hospitalized patients, hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism.
IPRO Hospital Quality Improvement (HQIC), Learning and Action Network (LAN) webinar on the All-Cause Harm focus are of Opioid Stewardship: April 26th 2021.
IPRO HQIC presented aggregate baseline data on the Opioid Stewardship Hospital Baseline Assessment and heard from a rural hospital on promoting the safe use of opioids (prescribing policy, scripted communication tools, alternatives to opioids, tracking prescribing practices, referral network for pain management, and MAT therapy).
In addition, IPRO HQIC highlight many salient opioid stewardship resources on processes that support the inclusion of patient and family engagement and health equity (stigma) in opioid stewardship efforts. These resources further support IPRO HQIC hospital efforts in All-Cause Harm reduction.
Recording, Slides and All-Cause Harm Resource available.
Health and Human Services (HHS) April, 2021
In an effort to get evidenced-based treatment to more Americans with opioid use disorder, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing new buprenorphine practice guidelines that among other things, remove a longtime requirement tied to training, which some practitioners have cited as a barrier to treating more people.
Signed by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, the Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder exempt eligible physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives from federal certification requirements related to training, counseling and other ancillary services that are part of the process for obtaining a waiver to treat up to 30 patients with buprenorphine.
Anticoagulation Forum
Although DOACs require less intensive dose management than warfarin, they are not devoid of potential complications. Anticoagulants have consistently ranked as the class of medications most frequently leading to emergency room visits and hospital admissions for adverse drug events. This toolkit explains how to use DOACs safely and effectively requires that all aspects of anticoagulation therapy are addressed, including appropriate patient selection, dosing, monitoring, transitions between therapies and between care settings, periprocedural guidance, management of risks (including DOAC associated
bleeding), drug-drug interaction management, ongoing assessment of patient and family educational needs, and incorporation of evidence-based practices into workflow.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Healthcare executives have an important role in creating a culture for safer opioid prescribing. This handbook contains insights and advice from healthcare executives and quality improvement leaders from four different health systems representing urban, suburban and rural settings. They share their experiences engaging internal and external stakeholders, working across interdisciplinary teams, leveraging data to inform efforts, implementing training and educational efforts, and much more. Sections include:
