Electronic Record Keeping and Tracking of Controlled Substances

Daniel A. Drennan, MD

Assistant Professor
Department of Anesthesiology
University of Utah School of Medicine
Pain Management Center
University of Utah Health Care
Salt Lake City, UT

The abuse and misuse of prescription opioids is a significant problem and public health concern. The number of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids continues to rise, highlighting the potential for lethal outcomes when opioid medications are misused or diverted from their intended sources. Physicians are charged and challenged, therefore, with balancing the risk of opioid abuse with the risk of pain undertreatment. Like other states, Utah has witnessed an increase in prescription opioid–related overdose deaths. To improve prescribing practices, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing has implemented a system to track controlled Schedule II substances, which include most opioids. This system facilitates the detection of potentially problematic behaviors, such as “doctor shopping,” inappropriate prescribing practices, or excessive use of medications by patients. The chronic pain management service group at the University of Utah uses this system to monitor patients from initiation of treatment throughout the course of therapy. In addition, patients are required to sign a medication contract and are subjected to random urinalysis. Such an approach aims to improve opioid prescribing practices while reducing the risk of abuse and diversion.

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