Opioid Stewardship in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Before it Starts

August 28, 2025

2 - 3 p.m. ET

ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.

Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often care for residents who are discharged from hospitals with opioid prescriptions for acute pain. In addition, many residents receive opioids for both acute and chronic pain management. However, prolonged use and higher doses significantly increase the risk of opioid use disorder (OUD).

In this presentation, Dr. Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, and Dr. Jenn Azen, MD, MPH, will explore how nursing facilities can implement effective opioid stewardship practices to minimize harm. This includes ensuring the right indication, right dose, and right duration of opioid therapy. The session will also cover evidence-based alternatives to opioids, adjunctive pain management strategies, and guidance on selecting appropriate opioids when long-term use is unavoidable.

Participants will gain practical strategies to reduce opioid-related risks while optimizing pain management for residents.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand strategies for developing an opioid treatment program at your facility
  2. Discuss approach to assessing opioid orders on admission and create a plan to taper.
  3. Recognize approaches to managing patients on chronic opioids and keeping them safe.
  4. Implement an interdisciplinary opioid stewardship program and incorporate within a QAPI framework.

Speaker: Dr. Swati Gaur and Dr. Jenn Azen

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Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the COE-NF offers Certified Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Staff a centralized resource hub with easy access to trainings, technical assistance and additional resources, at no cost.

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We help nursing facilities to improve the quality of life and care provided for residents who are experiencing a variety of behavioral health disorders, with a focus on Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD).

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We provide direct technical assistance, evidence-based training, and resources that are appropriate for every member of your long-term care facility — from those providing day-to-day direct care, to clinical and administrative staff.

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