The misuse of prescription painkillers, particularly opioids, is a significant public health problem. More than 15,000 Americans died from prescription opioid use in 2009 and emergency department visits involving prescription pain relief misuse increased more than 150% between 2004 and 2010.

In 2009, the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) examined its approach to pain management to help address these issues in its community. SCPMG implemented a number of interventions, including prescription guidelines and refill policies, reports to identify high-risk patients and physicians, decision-support tools embedded in electronic health records, regular education for physicians, and a program to support generic opioid prescriptions over brand names.

As a result of its efforts, SCPMG has reduced inappropriate use of many prescription painkillers, including 80% fewer OxyContin prescriptions from 2009 to 2013, 66% fewer Actiq prescriptions, and 65% fewer branded hydrocodone products such as Vicodin and Lortab. In the last year they have reduced by 21% patients receiving daily doses of more than 120mg of morphine equivalent.

Learn more about SCPMG’s efforts to stem prescription painkiller abuse in its community. Hear from:

• Joel Hyatt, MD, regional assistant medical director, Quality, SCPMG
• Steven Steinberg, MD, regional chief of family medicine and chair of Controlled Substances Executive Team, SCPMG

A recording of the webinar and the presentation slides are available below.