Assessing Risk:
By using the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) and assessing for other factors that are known to increase the risk associated with chronic opioid therapy, we categorize patient risk for adverse outcomes into 3 groups: low, moderate and high risk.
The ORT looks at personal and family history of substance abuse, age, history of preadolescent sex abuse and co-occurring psychological disease. Additional factors that are associated with increased risk are: morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) of greater than or equal to 50mg, chronic pulmonary disease (OSA or COPD), concurrent use of other sedating medications (eg: benzodiazepines), a history of having opioids stopped involuntarily and being in the first year of opioid therapy.
Also see: “Tools for Risk Monitoring“