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Table 3 Weighted Score and Ranking of Outcome by NOUGG Members and the National Faculty (n = 45)

From: Identifying appropriate outcomes to help evaluate the impact of the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Non-Cancer Pain

Rank

Outcome

Weighted Score

1

Effects of CNCP and taking opioids for CNCP on quality of life

146

2

Assessment of patient’s risk of addiction before starting opioid therapy by prescribers, such as use of tools.

138

3

Monitoring patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviour

78

4

Prescribing of opioids at or greater than the watchful dose (200 mg of morphine equivalent per day) for CNCP

74

5

Mortality rates associated with prescription opioid overdose

64

6

Prevalence and incidence of prescription opioid addiction

62

7

Discontinuation or tapering of opioids who experience adverse effects or insufficient opioid effectiveness

59

8

Assessment of pain using a validated pain scale or another validated method

44

9

Use of treatment agreements with patients before initiating opioid therapy for CNCP

43

10

Use of patient information from prescription monitoring programs to monitor patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviours, where available

42

11

Emergency room visit rates associated with prescription opioid overdose

30

12

Concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids

29

13

Amount of weak and strong opioids prescribed by jurisdiction and per patient with CNCP

29

14

Acute and urgent health-care facilities’ use of policies to provide guidance on opioid prescribing

25

15

Types and amounts of adjunctive medications prescribed for CNCP patients taking opioids

23

16

Safe initiation of fentanyl during an opioid trial using the “stepped approach” for CNCP

14

  1. Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP), National Opioid Use Guideline Group (NOUGG)