Program Overview
The Better Prescribing, Better Treatment program is a peer-to-peer,
clinician-driven quality-improvement program that promotes safe,
appropriate prescribing of opioids and other controlled substances to curb
misuse and overdose, along with encouraging prescribing treatment of
opioid addiction. 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 seven-day pill limit on opioid prescribing
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 WSMA, Washington State Hospital
Association, Washington State Department of Health, and the Washington
State Health Care Authority.
The program now includes representatives from:
- ARNP United of Washington State
- Washington State Dental Association
- Washington Academy of Physician Assistants
The BPBT program promotes safe prescribing in two ways:
-
Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Reports: Each
quarter, the WSMA sends prescribers in the state an opioid prescribing
feedback report. Using data from the state prescription monitoring
program, 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. It has now expanded to include acute
benzodiazepine/sedative prescribing reports and acute buprenorphine
prescribing reports.
-
1:1 Coaching Program: The WSMA offers 1:1 coaching
services with Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, on improving systems in primary
care clinics to deliver more evidence-based pain care and opioid
management. If you are interested in individual coaching or a resource
for your clinic, the WSMA can assist with resources and physician
speakers for your team. Please contact Alyssa Crawford at
alyssa@wsma.org for more
information.
Contact Us
Contact the physician lead, Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, at
nathan_schlicher@teamhealth.com
for clinical guidance on Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Reports. For
other questions or concerns, contact Alyssa Crawford at
alyssa@wsma.org.