Document Type
DNP Project
Department
School of Nursing
Date of Degree
Spring 2019
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Primary Advisor
Joyce Pulcini, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN; Kate Malliarakis, PhD, ANP-BC, MAC, FAAN
Abstract
Background: Concerns about opioid prescribing in the United States have been rising (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016). Assessing pain scores, along with urine toxicology screenings can provide information to both patients and providers about prescription opioids.
Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective chart review study was to compare numeric pain scores and urine toxicology results between two different groups of patients who were being prescribed daily≥ 90mg opioid dosing.
Methods: This retrospective chart review sample was of 134 adult chronic pain patients at one pain management clinic. Patients’ average numeric pain rating while using opioids for a year in the≥ 90mg daily opioid dosing group at initial visit and after a year on opioids were analyzed. Urine toxicology screening results were analyzed.
Results: Of the 134 patients, 9 (6.7%) failed urine toxicology screenings, 6 from the (group) and 3 from the (≥90mg MED high dose group). Of 134 patients, n=77 (57.5%) improved their pain score in the year, n=57 (42.5%) had no improvement or worse pain on opioids. Insurance type: of the 134 patients, Medicaid 32.1% (n=43), Medicare 29.1% (n=39) Workers Compensation 19.4% (n=26), and private insurance 18.7% (n=25).
Conclusions: This study indicates insurance type was a statistically significant variable and indicates further research is needed within the two dosing groups to understand how this may influence changes to opioid prescribing. Urine toxicology failures between both dosing groups was only 6.7%.
Copyright Notice
© 2019 Christine Couperus–Mashewske. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Couperus–Mashewske, C. (2019). Opioid Dosing’s Impact on Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Urine Toxicology Results. , (). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/son_dnp/46
Open Access
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