Better Prescribing, Better Treatment

Leveraging data to improve opioid pain management while protecting patients from highly addictive medications.

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:

• 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:

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.