State Boards of Nursing Guidance to Mitigate Prescription Opioid Misuse and Diversion

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the types of content and to what extent that individual State Boards of Nursing (SBON) in the U.S. are providing information and education for nurses to mitigate prescription opioid misuse and diversion by patients and the public.

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional, survey research design was selected.

Methods: A survey of the SBON by two investigators, who independently reviewed each SBON website, was completed over a four-week time-period. The websites were explored for resources related to opioids. Links and descriptions were reviewed, then compared for accuracy.

Results: All but two SBON had at least some information on the mitigation of prescription opioid misuse and diversion. Minimal information was available regarding the mitigation of opioid misuse and diversion in 18 of the 50 states and DC (35%).

Conclusions: SBON have a responsibility to educate licensees to enable them to assist in the mitigation of opioid misuse and diversion. States have resources like PDMPs, opioid tool-kits, newsletters, announcements, and prescriber guidelines that need to be more numerous, of higher quality, and easier to access. SBON should be commended for the resources that they currently provide, but more can be done for nurses to aid in this endeavor. SBON are positioned to provide education and information for nurses to reduce opioid misuse, and diversion. The SBON websites need to have a link to their PDMP, opioid toolkit, OD treatment, and opioid prescribing guidelines readily accessible by nurses and especially APRNs.