Resource Toolkit
TN Nursing Homes Outcomes Congress
In-Person Training Presentation
CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
This guideline provides recommendations for primary care clinicians who are prescribing opioids for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. The guideline addresses 1) when to initiate or continue opioids for chronic pain; 2) opioid selection, dosage, duration, follow-up, and discontinuation; and 3) assessing risk and addressing harms of opioid use.
Effectively Communicating with Patients about Opioid Therapy
Effective communication between patient and provider is critical when initiating opioid therapy. Often providers will need to adjust prescribing practices and motivate patients to stay committed to the changes. During this recorded training, clinicians learn how to apply principles of motivational interviewing and a six-step process that is patient-centered and supports clinical judgment when conflict arises. Presenters review two case studies in which they apply communication strategies, and provide examples of patient-provider dialogue.
Pocket Guide: Tapering Opioids for Chronic Pain
Follow up regularly with patients to determine whether opioids are meeting treatment goals and whether opioids can be reduced to lower dosage or discontinued.
Opioid Tapering Toolkit from TIMES
These hand-picked resources were chosen to help providers and educate patients on the potential adverse drug effects. They were developed by the Team for Innovation in Medication Safety (TIMES), a collaborative of healthcare providers and patients in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. The goal of TIMES is to improve medication safety by decreasing unnecessary medication use.
Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD)
Online tool to assess pain in patients with dementia.
This pain behavior tool is used to assess pain in older adults who have dementia or other cognitive impairment and are unable to reliably communicate their pain. It can be used by a nurse or by a CNA to screen for pain-related behaviors.
PEG Pain Screening Tool
The PEG is an ultra-brief measure of pain (derived from the Brief Pain Inventory.
TeamSTEPPS: Pocket Guide
TeamSTEPPS has five key principles. It is based on team structure and four teachable-learnable skills: Communication, Leadership, Situation Monitoring, and Mutual Support.
TeamSTEPPS: Essentials Guide (Classroom Slides)
The Essentials Course highlights the key principles and concepts of TeamSTEPPS (Strategies & Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety). The Essentials Course can bring you up to speed quickly about improving resident safety by implementing TeamSTEPPS.
Nonopioid Treatments for Chronic Pain
Patients with pain should receive treatment that provides the greatest benefit. Opioids are not the first-line therapy for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Evidence suggests that nonopioid treatments, including nonopioid medications and nonpharmacological therapies can provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain, and are safer.
Understanding the Training of Trainers Model
The Training of Trainers (ToT) model is intended to engage master trainers in coaching new trainers that are less experienced with a particular topic or skill, or with training overall.
Opiates and elderly: Use and side effects
The increasing use of opiates for pain management by healthcare practitioners requires that those prescribing opioids be aware of the special considerations for treating the elderly. This article will address the precautions one must take when using opiates in the geriatric population, as well as the side effects and ways to minimize them.
STOPP/START criteria for potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people: Version 2
STOPP/START version 2 criteria have been expanded and updated for the purpose of minimizing inappropriate prescribing in older people. These criteria are based on an up-to-date literature review and consensus validation among a European panel of experts.
AGS Beers Criteria
This clinical tool, based on The AGS 2012 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults (AGS 2012 Beers Criteria), has been developed to assist healthcare providers in improving medication safety in older adults. Our purpose is to inform clinical decision-making concerning the prescribing of medications for older adults in order to improve safety and quality of care.
Comfort Menu Examples
Examples of a Comfort Menu used to help patients and residents choose alternatives to opioids for chronic pain management.