The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated and expanded recommendations for clinicians providing pain care for adult outpatients with short- and long-term pain. These clinical recommendations, published in the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, will help clinicians work with their patients to ensure the safest and most effective pain care is provided.

"The updated guidance from CDC should aid Georgia's physicians with the best practices to treat pain and bring relief to patients while ensuring patient safety," said Georgia Composite Medical Board Chairperson Matthew Norman, MD. "The Board has reviewed this guidance and encourages physicians to heed these recommendations when prescribing opioids to treat pain."

The publication updates and replaces the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain released in 2016.

The updated guidance can be accessed here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm?s_cid=rr7103a1_w