The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians Announces Guidelines for Responsible Prescribing of Pain-Killers for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), a national medical society of over 4,000 members, has released its "Guidelines for Responsible Opioid Prescribing in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain." A multidisciplinary panel of 55 medical experts drafted this comprehensive two-part guideline to improve patient care, curtail the abuse of opioids without jeopardizing non-cancer pain management treatments, and improve understanding among law enforcement agencies, lawmakers, insurance providers and regulatory agencies.

Dr.  Laxmaiah Manchikanti, founder and CEO of ASIPP stated, "Opioid abuse has increased at an alarming rate since the 1990's and physicians must be proactive and take all necessary steps to ensure that their patients are properly assessed, diagnosed and monitored while receiving opioid treatment. This report provides clear and concise guidelines to improve patient access and avoid diversion and abuse."

In 2005, ASIPP published the first guidelines for prescribing opioids and the 2012 revised version was published in the July issue of Pain Physician, a high impact (IF 10.7) peer reviewed journal. Part 1 of the 2012 Guidelines reviews various aspects of opioid use, misuse, abuse, overuse and resulting fatalities.  It presents statements of best practice based on a thorough evaluation of evidence from published studies on treatments outcomes. Part 2 provides recommendations for initiation and maintaining of appropriate chronic opioid therapy for 90 days or longer.

The 2012 guidelines illustrate a 10-step process with comprehensive assessment and documentation process, establishing medical necessity and treatment goals, recommendations for responsible opioid therapy with dose limitations, and necessity for a comprehensive and robust patient agreement.

It also discusses adherence monitoring, evaluation of side effects and discontinuation or maintenance of opioid therapy on a long-term basis additionally the report covers the means and ways to initiate opioid therapy, specific guidelines for methadone use, and reduction in prescription drug dose.

About the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
ASIPP promotes the development and practice of safe, high-quality, cost-effective interventional pain management techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of pain and related disorders, and to ensure patient access to these interventions.   For more information, visit www.asipp.org or call 270.554.9412. Ext. 215.

SOURCE American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians