My DNP project relates to the safe prescribing of opioids by primary care providers. This is an area which has been of interest to me for several years. When I first started the DNP course, the very first semester, we were asked: “what would you like to fix?” That was easy for me “have providers prescribe safely and quit contributing to addiction and overdose.” I am sure most of you are familiar with chronic pain, it accounts for over 50% of all primary care visits. Generally musculoskeletal in nature. My project will not deal with the population of any form of the cancer patient, hospice patient, or palliative care patients, acute pain will not be addressed. This project will be dealing with chronic pain, suffering, which is defined as being over three months in origin. This will occur with primary care providers who work at a New Mexico clinic.
My Proposal: “Does the use of an evidence-based guideline for opioid therapy in primary care improve a provider’s adherence to current standards of care?”
The DNP Essentials which are most related to this proposal (DeCapua, 2018).
Essential #II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement. This project seeks to improve patient safety and provider confidence and education.
Essential #III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The purpose of this guideline was to assist the primary care provider in improving communication between the patient about the risks of opioids for chronic pain. Addiction, misuse, and overdose are associated with inappropriate prescribing. This guideline is to be utilized to improve education for the provider and the patient to be effective in the management of chronic pain and prevent accidental overdose. The DNP Essential #3 is to assure that we are accountable for our patient’s safety. That to facilitate change is imperative to the organizations and the patient population.
Essential #VI: Professional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes. This will be a necessary part of the project I am involved with. Implementing a change for safe prescribing practice, this will involve collaboration with the clinic team.
Honestly, all of the DNP Essentials relate to my project. These three are the most important that I can see at this present time.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC. (2016). Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Cronic Pain. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html.
DeCapua, M. (2018). The essentials of the DNP program. DNP Nursing Curriculum Planning Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.dnpnursingsolutions.com
Hi Kay! Good luck on your project this semester! Chronic pain is a big concern in our healthcare industry at this time, especially related to the high doses of narcotics prescribed. This project will certainly provide beneficial information to practitioners that will assist in the management of these patients.
Thanks, Starr
I am still waiting for the last signature for the IRB with the University of New Mexico.
This Vice Chair for research is taking his time. Hopefully will be signed after Labor Day weekend, would be nice if it was before! It has been in his in-box for over 3 weeks. A click and sign are all it takes! Nail-biting!!
Kay
Thanks, Michelle, yes the Essential VIII is very important, of course. Basically, this project will help with providers understanding how they are prescribing and how they can change with a keen focus on safety. I do look forward to hearing how yours is going, very needed as I have stated several times.
Kay