Opioids in advanced lung malignancy: a clinical audit of opioid prescription, patient education and safeguarding

Abstract

Background: Opioids have an important role in symptom management for people with advanced cancer. Clinical guidelines recommend patient education to ensure the safe use of opioids; however, no Australian studies have explored current education and safeguarding practices when opioids are initiated to advanced cancer patients. Aims: To investigate risk assessment, safeguarding and education practices when opioids are first prescribed to advanced lung cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective medical record audit of outpatients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer seen at a tertiary Australian hospital between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 and prescribed strong opioids for cancer-rela..