Standards of Care for Opioid Prescribing: What Every APRN Prescriber and Investigator Need to Know

Opioid misuse is becoming an epidemic. Knowledge of nationally vetted standardized methods of pain assessment, safe treatment options and modalities, and follow-up evaluation for patients on opioids is essential for health care providers. This article outlines the current standards of care for pain management and safe opioid prescribing that are necessary for APRNs and other providers prescribing opioids. These guidelines should serve as the standards of care for prescribers, as well as boards of nursing and their investigators when evaluating violations that involve poor or inappropriate prescribing, abuse, and other issues related to opioid prescribing.