In the wake of the recent conviction of the Vanderbilt nurse who caused a fatal medication error, many healthcare providers (particularly nursing) have grown significant concerns about the criminalization of medication errors in addition to the unraveling of a “Just Culture” health system approach that places the responsibility on the process rather than the sole person who committed the medication error (except for general intent cases). The aftermath of this unprecedented conviction has made healthcare professionals target drug classes with high levels of risk and liability that can cause harm, i.e., opioids and pain management and distance themselves from its uses even at the negative impact it may cause to the patient in chronic pain and/or needing palliative care. Among pharmacists, there is a gap between a deeper understanding of pharmacologic pain medication, optimization of pain medicine, and it’s benefits to patients being treated for various types of pain. Furthermore, there is a conflict on differentiating between pain management in the setting of opioid addiction and pain management for palliative/hospice care. Pharmacists (and pharmacy techs) can be impactful if their knowledge base of opioids and pain management strategies are enhanced. The ultimate goal for this program is to develop pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to becoming more astute in the area of pain management and provide potential advanced clinical practice support to professionals who need more insight in optimal pain management.

This continuing education will present the “Palliative Care Toolbelt” which will provide information on various pharmacologic classes used for palliative care (opioids, sedatives, and adjuvant analgesics) while also addressing symptom management, adverse effect prevention, medication assessment, medication safety practices and proper disposal procedures.