Medication Therapy

Medication is an important tool when managing pain. Medications are never recommended to patients’ who express concern over potential abuse or have no interest in medication therapy.

Opioid Prescribing Policy

Opioid medications, otherwise known as narcotic medications, have long been used in the treatment of pain. These medications have been used despite increasing evidence that these medications can lead to increased risk of addiction and death.

At the Southern Nevada Pain Center, our primary goal is to reduce your pain and allow you to return to an active life. The Hippocratic Oath “to do no harm” is the cornerstone of our practice.

With regard to the prescribing of opioid pain medications, the Southern Nevada Pain Center follows both the DEA’s and American Academy of Pain’s guidelines. We prescribe opioid pain medications once we have performed a complete evaluation of a patient’s pain condition, we have determined that these types of medications are appropriate for the pathology present, and all other lower risk therapies have failed.

Due to the increasing dangers associated with chronic opioid use and the lack of evidence showing improved functioning, the Southern Nevada Pain Center rarely prescribes high dose narcotics (except in cases of cancer).

At the Southern Nevada Pain Center, we feel that opioids do have a place in the treatment of chronic pain, but we also feel that any use of opioid therapies must be part of a comprehensive treatment course, and must be undertaken after all other minimally invasive options have failed.

Please note – our medical staff have the right to refuse narcotic prescriptions at their sole discretion, even if those prescriptions are allowed by law. Our primary concern is for patient safety and health. We have trained our medical staff to identify signs of addiction. They may refuse to prescribe narcotics to any patient at any time at our sole discretion.

Education
Educating patients and tomorrow’s health care providers is an important way we can give back to our community. Our providers speak at various community events, serve as volunteers with non-profits, and mentor students.

Check back for education events hosted in our new complex following the grand opening of our new wing – expected in 2021.