Minnesota Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Announced

Just-out guidelines will help Minnesota communities reduce opioid prescriptions; encourage safe, consistent standards when opioids are called for; and deliver compassionate support to people who need ongoing opioid therapy. Built on the understanding that opioids are not the best option for treating chronic pain and may actually worsen it, Minnesota’s guidelines focus on post-acute care — the first 45 days after an injury or surgery — as a critical time for preventing long-term use.

Background

Gov. Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature established the Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program in 2015 to reduce opioid dependency and substance use by Minnesotans due to the prescribing of opioids by health care providers. The Opioid Prescribing Work Group was convened through 2019 to advance the program’s work, which includes developing statewide guidelines on appropriate opioid prescribing. The opioid prescribing guidelines are a joint effort of the medical community and the Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Human Services.

Visit the opioid prescribing guidelines website to read about the:

• Framework for Minnesota’s guidelines
• Pain phases
• Care settings addressed by the guidelines.