Continuing Education Sessions

Session 58 | Balancing Opioid Risks and Benefits

Day: Thursday, July 27
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices

Session Summary

Managing the risks and benefits of opioid medications is a continual balancing act that long term care providers must contend with, as this drug class has both immense analgesic and adverse effect potential. This session will reflect on the ongoing opioid crisis and identify the relevant regulations enacted in an effort to curb suboptimal opioid use. The attendees will benefit from hearing practical steps that skilled nursing centers can take to align with "best-practice" elements that focus on resident-centered pain management. Additionally, the very real issue of opioid diversion will be discussed, and steps to safeguard the chain-of-custody will be provided. This session will offer perspective from a pharmacist engaged in the topic, with experience operating within the ASCP Opioid Stewardship Work Group. This unique perspective will benefit members across the interdisciplinary team, all of whom have a part to play in appropriately managing resident pain and balancing the inherent risks vs benefits of the opioid drug class.

Presenters

Janis Russell, Pharm.D., MBA

Manager of Clinical Operations | PharMerica

About the Presenter

Janis Russell, Pharm.D., MBA is a Manager of Clinical Operations with PharMerica. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College Of Pharmacy where she received her doctorate in pharmacy, Summa Cum Laude. She also earned her MBA and accounting degrees from the University of North Florida. Janis has been with PharMerica since 2015 where she is involved in the implementation and enhancement of clinical activities including polypharmacy initiatives, medication therapy management services, and disease state management programs. She oversees a team of consultant pharmacists in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Janis is actively involved with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, where she helped develop the Opioid Stewardship Toolkit, and a LTC COVID-19 Policy and Procedure manual for the CDC. Janis is married with 4 children, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, and several African Cichlid fish tanks. She enjoys running, biking, and reading.