Date

5-2021

Department

School of Nursing

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Chair

Kenneth Thompson

Keywords

Opioid, Abuse, Overdose Prevention, Screening Tools, Therapeutic Opioid Use, Chronic Pain

Disciplines

Nursing

Abstract

The opioid crisis is a pervasive and social problem in the United States. Since 2001 several hundred thousand people have died from the misuse of prescription and illicit opioids. On average nearly 130 Americans perish every day due to opioid abuse while millions annually struggle with morbidity derived from opioid abuse disorders. This crisis causes tremendous physical and emotional suffering and death and is likely the most profound public health crisis our nation has faced. In 2015 alone, 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, with over 30,000 of those dying from opioid drugs. If left unchecked, the epidemic will continue to increase, and more of the population will continue to be affected by the opioid abuse. Literature related to opioid abuse is vast and expansive. However, the literature is lacking in the area of screening during the initial assessment to indicate the abuse potential. Findings derived from the literature show consistent support in the need for methodologies and interventions that prompt intervention or assist providers in the assessment of patients requiring opioids for management of chronic pain with the result to stalemate the opioid abuse in society. With this in mind, the purpose of this project is to determine whether the use of an opioid screening tool at the time of initial assessment of patients with chronic non-cancer pain will decrease the use of opioid use.

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