Opioid Crisis: Updating Pain Management Protocols
- Despite increased awareness of the opioid epidemic and widespread education on the risks of opioids, some hospital practices have not changed, according to Sarah White, a nurse practitioner...
- White's husband, admitted to a burn centre for a severe scald injury, was instantly offered IV dilaudid, despite his history of opioid dependence and PTSD.
- For decades, the medical community emphasized the complete elimination of pain, sometimes punishing providers who didn't meet this goal.
Hospitals must update their pain management protocols to combat the opioid crisis, ensuring patient safety and preventing addiction. This article from News Directory 3 explores the critical need for opioid-sparing or opioid-free pathways, especially for patients with a history of addiction or specific sensitivities. A shift in healthcare culture is essential, providing both opioid-based and alternative pain management options. Prioritizing patient autonomy and individualized care is key. We discuss how to reduce the reliance on opioids, respecting patient preferences, and offering clinicians evidence-based alternatives. Learn how hospitals can create extensive protocols, and normalize conversations around pain management. Discover what’s next.
New Opioid Protocols Needed to Reduce Addiction Risk
Updated June 17, 2025
Despite increased awareness of the opioid epidemic and widespread education on the risks of opioids, some hospital practices have not changed, according to Sarah White, a nurse practitioner in Virginia. White highlights the need for updated protocols that respect patient autonomy and reduce the risk of addiction.
White’s husband, admitted to a burn centre for a severe scald injury, was instantly offered IV dilaudid, despite his history of opioid dependence and PTSD. He had to advocate for himself, requesting IV acetaminophen and IM ketorolac instead. White saeid this incident underscores a systemic issue in American medicine’s approach to pain management.
For decades, the medical community emphasized the complete elimination of pain, sometimes punishing providers who didn’t meet this goal. This environment often led to the preemptive offering of opioids. Though, White argues that expecting the complete absence of pain is unrealistic and can lead to harm. Physicians often feel caught between patient satisfaction, fear of undertreating pain, and awareness of the risks associated with opioids.
To address this, White suggests a shift in healthcare culture. She advocates for burn, orthopedic, and trauma protocols that include two clear pathways: opioid-based management when clinically needed and desired by the patient, and opioid-sparing or opioid-free options for patients with a history of addiction, PTSD, adverse responses, or strong preferences. these pathways would normalize conversations about pain management, ensuring patients don’t feel ashamed for declining opioids and clinicians have evidence-based alternatives readily available.
The goal is not to deny pain relief but to tailor pain management to the individual,informed by the lessons learned from the opioid crisis. white emphasizes the need for protocols and a culture that reflect a commitment to reducing addiction risk and respecting patient autonomy in every hospital, for every patient, every time.
What’s next
Healthcare systems should prioritize the development and implementation of comprehensive pain management protocols that offer both opioid and opioid-free options, ensuring patient autonomy and reducing the risk of addiction.