ST. PAUL, MN (KDAL) – Data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) shows that state health care providers are writing fewer prescriptions for opioids and for lower doses when using them for pain management.
About 16 thousand health care providers will receive updated reports from the agency that shows their opioid prescribing practices and how they compare to those of anonymous peers.
State law requires the DHS to provide the private reports each year to help prevent unsafe prescribing behavior.
Since abrupt changes in opioid therapy for patients with chronic pain can be harmful, providers are being warned that rapid tapering or sudden discontinuation of opioids could lead to significant risks of withdrawal issues.
Opioids remain an important option for patients with acute or cancer related pain and those in hospice care. However those drugs can be addictive after just a few days of use and are generally ineffective for managing chronic, non-cancer related pain.
