TABLE 4.
Frequency of following recommended practices performed while monitoring patients on opioids
| Recommended practice |
Frequency of response, %
|
Total responses, n | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never, <25%* | 25% to 50%* | >75%, Always* | ||
| Observe for aberrant drug-related behaviour | 2 | 6 | 93 | 651 |
| Assess for adverse effects (eg, nausea, constipation, sedation) | 3 | 13 | 84 | 648 |
| Advise caution while driving or operating machinery | 5 | 14 | 82 | 647 |
| Assess level of function | 4 | 19 | 77 | 652 |
| If patient has unacceptable side effects, try different opioid | 7 | 30 | 63 | 649 |
| If patient has insufficient pain relief, increase dose | 4 | 43 | 53 | 647 |
| If patient has unacceptable side effects, lower dose | 14 | 34 | 53 | 645 |
| Assess level of pain with scale | 28 | 25 | 47 | 652 |
| If patient has insufficient pain relief, try different opioid | 14 | 46 | 40 | 637 |
| Check compliance with pill count | 44 | 29 | 28 | 646 |
| If patient has insufficient pain relief, taper off opioid and try another modality | 26 | 47 | 27 | 643 |
| Perform urine drug screening | 58 | 20 | 22 | 653 |
*
Per cent of respondents indicating they perform practices never or in <25% of their patients, in 25% to 50% of their patients, or in >75% of their patients or always