The Role Of Nurses In Addressing The Opioid Crisis

Abstract

The occurrence of prescribed opioid abuse and addiction has a complex history including several elements like as legislation, procedures, and prescriptions, which have led to the current situation. Several factors contribute to the issue of opioid medication addiction, including ineffective prescription practices, misuse of the drugs, insufficient understanding of pain evaluation and comprehension, and reduced policy and government monitoring and regulation. Nurses, who are often at the forefront of healthcare provision, must possess extensive knowledge and fully accept the standards and essential consequences related to both prescription and administering opioids. Furthermore, it is imperative that all healthcare personnel, involving doctors, medical assistants, nursing professionals, and bedside nurses, possess a comprehensive comprehension of the inappropriate use and misuse of opioids. An analysis and evaluation of opioid laws at both the federal and state levels have shown a lack of uniformity in rules, policies, and standards, which has contributed to the present state of affairs. Utilizing an interdisciplinary team consisting of nurses and other practitioners is an effective technique for mitigating this issue.