Overview

Older adults experience a higher incidence of persistent pain across chronic disease trajectories and at end-of-life. Data obtained from the NHANES survey indicates that older adults are almost twice as likely to use opioid analgesics compared to younger adults (20-39) for pain management (CDC, 2015). Age-related changes to the body place older adults at a higher risk for adverse events due to an increased sensitivity and reduced clearance of opioids. A lack of education and failure to adequately engage, communicate, and educate providers in evidence-based practices have been found to be barriers to the safe use of pain medications in older adults (FDA, 2010; HHS, 2019).

Providing effective, evidence-based continuing education can reduce serious adverse outcomes resulting from inappropriate prescribing, misuse, and abuse of opioid analgesics while maintaining patient access to appropriate pain medications for older adults with chronic pain.

This session is being held as part of the Georgia Medical Directors Association Meeting.

Speakers

Patricia Bruckenthal, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN

Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Stony Brook University School of Nursing
Stony Brook, New York View Full Bio

Katherine Galluzzi, DO, CMD, FACOFP DIST

Professor and Chair, Geriatric
and Palliative Medicine
Director, Comprehensive Care.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical Director
VNA Hospice of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania View Full Bio

Accreditation

Joint Accreditation LogoIn support of improving patient care, University of Kentucky HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA credit: 
This live activity is designated for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Montana Nurses Association, an accredited approver with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Other credit:
UK Healthcare CECentral certifies this activity for 1.00 hours of participation.

Acknowledgement

This activity is provided by the University of Kentucky in collaboration with The France Foundation and the Montana Nurses Association.

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from the Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies.