Why This course is for you
The opioid epidemic has created a lot of attention for the necessity of safe prescribing of narcotics. Although, there is a low risk of addiction and drug diversion if the individual who is prescribed such medications take them as directed; addiction and drug diversion is still a great possibility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a major reason for narcotics being diverted is when the individual becomes addicted to the drug and this could therefore lead to a plethora of spiraling effects. In this lesson we will discuss drug diversion among patients, healthcare workers, safe narcotic prescribing, addiction, and drug abuse tools and more.
At the completion of this lesson, the professional will be able to
- Describe drug diversion and who is most at risk
- Explain how to safely initiate opioid therapy
- Explain how to utilize the drug addiction and risk assessment tools
- Describe the effects of the opioid epidemic
- Discuss proper patient education relating to narcotic use
- Explain chronic pain which necessitates narcotic treatment
- Discuss narcotic use monitoring programs
