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Managing Chronic Pain During Pandemic

The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) and European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA) have issued a joint statement on recommendations for chronic pain practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations include:

  • Substituting telemedicine visits for in-person visits where possible.
  • For patients infected with the virus, “We do not recommend any changes to ongoing opioid treatment regimens in the absence of documented changes in pain and/or function.” Patients on transdermal opioids should be carefully monitored, as fever can affect absorption rate.
  • Ensure all patients receive their appropriate prescription of opioids to avoid withdrawal.
  • Provide naloxone education and prescription for high-risk patients.

The recommendations also include procedures for necessary in-office visits for patients who are at low risk or virus-negative, and separate procedures for those who are at high risk or virus-positive.

Published date: Aug. 18, 2020

Shanthanna H, Cohen SP, Strand N, et al. Recommendations on chronic pain practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) and European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA). Updated March 27, 2020. https://www.asra.com/guidelines-articles/original-articles/covid-19-resources/covid-19-resources/legacy-b-blog-posts/2020/03/27/recommendations-on-chronic-pain-practice-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

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