Better Prescribing, Better Treatment
The Better Prescribing, Better Treatment (BPBT) program is a peer-to-peer, clinician-driven quality improvement program that
promotes safe, appropriate prescribing to curb opioid misuse and overdose. The program was developed in partnership with the
Washington State Hospital Association and the state Health Care Authority in lieu of proposals seeking to implement mandatory prior
authorization for all opioid prescriptions. At the same time, the legislature was considering a blunt statutory 7-day pill limit
that would have been problematic for appropriate patient care and potentially result in disciplinary action for well-meaning
clinicians.
BPBT was launched to focus on quality improvement rather than punitive regulatory oversight. This effort has protected the medical
profession from further problematic legislative and/or regulatory interference, while significantly improving opioid prescribing
behaviors and resulting patient care and outcomes.
BPBT is a component of the
state opioid response plan, and is a collaboration between the Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Hospital Association, Washington State
Department of Health, and the Washington State Health Care Authority.
The BPBT program promotes safe prescribing in two ways:
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Washington State Opioid Prescribing Reports: Each quarter, the WSMA sends prescribers in the state an opioid
prescribing feedback report. Using data from the state prescription monitoring program (PMP), the report shows how their opioid
prescribing practices compare to others in their hospital, health system, or medical group, as well as within their specialty.
To participate, prescribers are opted-in by their organization's CMO.
-
Opioid Management Coaching Program: In partnership with the University of Washington Six Building Blocks
program, the WSMA offers coaching services on improving systems in primary care clinics to deliver more evidence-based chronic
pain care and opioid management. Contact monica@wsma.org for more information.
Washington State Opioid Prescribing Reports
Results driven
Better Prescribing, Better Treatment's data-driven and data-sharing approach is working. The initiative, now encompassing 15,000+
prescribers with 60 hospitals, health systems, and medical groups in the state. Collectively, reducing opioid prescriptions above
guidelines by 40% since the program's inception in late 2017.
To opt in
If you prescribe opioids in Washington state and your organization has yet to enroll to receive Washington State Opioid Prescribing
Reports, your CMO can email opioidreports@wsma.org to enroll. Minimal resources and
administrative time are required.
Opioid Management Coaching Program
Utilizing the UW Six Building Blocks Framework, there are a variety of ways we can offer support in opioid improvement work:
| Service |
Description |
Timeline & Commitment |
| Comprehensive Six Building Blocks Program |
Implement a comprehensive opioid management system-based improvement, with guidance from a practice facilitator. |
9–15 months |
| Six Building Blocks Consult |
Complete a clinic-wide 6BBs self-assessment that leads to the development of a recommended action plan, with guidance from a
practice facilitator. Be connected to supporting resources for opioid management.
|
1–3 months |
| Shared Learning Calls |
Actively participate in periodic and facilitated conversations amongst clinics engaged in opioid management improvement work
using the 6BB approach.
|
Monthly 1-hour calls |
| Technical Assistance (TA) |
Ad-hoc support and TA in opioid management areas.
(i.e. policy alignment with WA 1427, workflow development, developing a tracking & monitoring system)
|
Ad-hoc |
| Targeted Education |
Educational opportunities in opioid management areas. |
Ad-hoc |
| Intro to the Six Building Blocks |
Introduction to the Six Building Blocks approach and tour of website resources to support opioid management improvements.
|
One time with follow-up check-in calls |
Frequently asked questions and next steps
Get answers to your questions about report development and impact, or actionable next steps in the Washington State Opioid Reports
FAQ Section (linked in the Opioid Management Resources below). Contact the physician lead, Nathan Schlicher, MD, at
Nathan_schlicher@teamhealth.org, for clinical guidance on the Washington State
Opioid Prescribing Reports. Contact the program manager, Monica Salgaonkar, MHA at
monica@wsma.org, to join or find out more about the opioid management coaching program.
Opioid Management Resources
-
May 2020 Webinar on the Washington State Opioid Reports
Learn more about the Washington State Opioid Prescribing Reports program and the Six Building Blocks program. This webinar
was originally broadcasted on May 15, 2020. Webinar presenters were Dr. Nathan Schlicher, BPBT physician lead; Jeb
Shepard, WSMA director of policy and regulatory affairs; Dr. Laura-Mae Baldwin, UW Family Medicine and the Six Building
Blocks program; and Dr. Michael Parchman, Kaiser Permanente Health Research Institute and the Six Building Blocks program.
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Complying with State Opioid Regulations through Improved
Prescribing Practices
– WSMA members only—sign-in required
WSMA's free one-hour on-demand webinar can help clinicians
understand how to comply with the new requirements. Completion
of the webinar will fulfill the new state requirement for
continuing medical education on opioid prescribing. This
activity has been approved for
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. After completing the
activity, learners should be able to:
-
Review the Washington state opioid prescribing
requirement.
-
Outline strategies to comply with specific requirements
of opioid prescribing rules.
-
Detail additional resources available for up-to-date
evidence-based information on opioid prescribing.
- UW Six Building Blocks
-
Self-Service How-to Guide for the Six Building Blocks Program
- WSU Interprofessional Team-Based Opioid Education