THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) adopt as policy the following:
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain document has limited applicability and should not be used in the elderly population, particularly those residing in post-acute and long-term care facilities
- There are foreseeable adverse consequences of undertreatment or dangerously inappropriate pharmacological treatment of chronic pain in this population if prescribers adhere to these guidelines
- Appropriate and judicious use of opioids to treat chronic pain in this population is an appropriate form of palliative care irrespective of diagnosis or life expectancy
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that existing Society policy be updated to reflect new policies regarding the CDC’s Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Society advocate for more research on management of chronic pain in the elderly population, on which to base sound, evidence-based recommendations and guidelines.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Society will promulgate a statement of said policy to its members, other primary care providers and organizations representing primary care providers in whatever fashion is most efficient, as well as taking it to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates for consideration to be included in existing AMA policy on this subject and communicated to the Federation of State Medical Boards
Note: Effective August 13, 2024, AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is now Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed).