September is National Pain Awareness Month

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 09/30/2021 01:58 PM PDT

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September is National Pain Awareness Month

**Please see the below broadcast from our partners at University of Washington Medicine.

Chronic pain management is complex! The pain experience is different for everyone and there is no one-size-fits all solution. Alternatives to opioids for chronic and complex pain are far safer and likely more effective.

The pandemic has surely made it more challenging, with disruptions in care, rampant fear, worsened stress, and increased social isolation. Drug overdose deaths have increased to record numbers, rising by more than 40% here in Washington State.

The University of Washington Pain team continues to support you as you work with your patients to improve their pain management, their function and quality of life.

UW Pain & Opioid Provider Hotline

Phone: 1-844-520-7246
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Pacific), Monday through Friday - excluding holidays

On-demand free clinical advice for health care providers caring for patients with complex pain medication regimens, especially high dose opioids. Staffed by UW Division of Pain Medicine pharmacists and physicians.

Consultations may address:

Individualized case consultation for client care and medication management
Individualized opioid taper plans
Withdrawal symptom management
Non-opioid/adjuvant analgesic treatment evaluation & recommendations
Triage and risk screening
Interpreting the WA Prescription Monitoring Program record
CDC opioid guideline review
Patient referral resources for local pain clinics

We are not able to take over prescribing of opioid or other medications, and serve only to help guide providers. This phone consultation is not intended to replace consultation by a pain specialist provider in accordance with WAC 246-919-860 and constitute a patient-provider relationship.

UW TelePain

Website: UW TelePain
Email: telepain@uw.edu
Hours: Noon – 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) - Wednesdays

A free service for providers to increase knowledge and confidence in chronic pain management, and to present difficult chronic pain cases for consultation.

Collegial interactive videoconferences:

Didactic presentations from UW Pain Medicine curriculum for primary care providers
Case presentations and consultation
Measurement-based clinical instruments to assess pain treatment effectiveness & outcomes
Interdisciplinary panel: pain medicine, primary care, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, anesthesia, family medicine, and psychology

CME available

The University Of Washington School Of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University Of Washington School Of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 73.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity - 1.5 credits per session.

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is committed to whole-person care, integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents.

HCA purchases health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program. As the largest health care purchaser in the state, we lead the effort to transform health care, helping ensure Washington residents have access to better health and better care at a lower cost.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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Nondiscrimination

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) complies with all applicable federal and Washington state civil rights laws and is committed to providing equal access to our services. Visit HCA’s website to view complete nondiscrimination statements.