Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Opioid prescribing and overdose rates in the US have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. The six Building Blocks for Safe Opioid Prescribing and Pain Management is a framework for practice change that has been successfully used in urban and rural settings in Oregon and Washington. It provides step by step guidelines that allow for collaborative problem solving. Outcomes include improved patient care, reduced Opioid Prescribing, and reduced prescriber burnout. Successful implementation requires meeting local communities where they are at, respecting cultural differences and clear communication. The framework is currently being adapted for suicide prevention and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in healthcare settings.