They Say They Need More Opioids: Pain, Diversion, or Abuse in the Hospice Setting?

We are often faced with the difficult situation of trying to figure out why a home hospice patient continues to request opioid escalation. Is it increasing physical pain, or could it be opioid abuse, misuse, or diversion? Should we differentiate between these possibilities? This session will explore how to differentiate between these potential scenarios, review the best practices to address these concerns, and discuss the ethical, legal, and pragmatic implications of potential substance misuse and diversion in home hospice care.