HSS Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship
HSS understands that pain is a factor in many of the conditions we treat and in some of the care we provide our patients to help them get back to what they need and love to do. Prudent and careful management of pain is among the most important responsibilities of any healthcare provider.
HSS Actions Address the Opioid Crisis
As the world leader in orthopedic and rheumatologic healthcare, education and research, HSS has implemented an across-the-board strategy of opioid stewardship to combat the national opioid health crisis. From research and professional training to patient care, our commitment is to:
Decrease opioid use throughout HSS services, departments and locations
Increase education of alternative pain management for professionals and patients
Improve pain management treatment options through collaboration and research
HSS Opioid Stewardship
HSS has a responsibility to our patients, their families and the public to help prevent opioid dependency and addiction. Our comprehensive efforts toward this goal include:
- Best practices in patient care, such as multimodal anesthesia and analgesia, which reduce the need for opioids to manage surgical and postsurgical pain
- Policies, guidelines and governing bodies, such as our interdisciplinary Controlled Substances Task Force and various subcommittees across our medical practice areas
- Education content, programs and workshops for HSS patients, the public, clinicians and other healthcare professionals
- Clinical trials, studies and research on opioid safety and reduction
Our programs, research and educational initiatives
Preoperative evaluation is a complex and holistic process that considers not only medical, surgical and social issues, but also factors in each patient’s past experience with pain. This evaluation is now a part of our workflow, reflecting our overall goal of providing the best care with the least risk.
If you or someone you know struggles with opioids, please reach out for help. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information helpline (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Call 1.800.662.HELP (4357)