A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) found that the fentanyl pain patch was the most commonly administered long acting opioid prescribed to opioid naïve nursing home patients. Because fentanyl is only intended for patients with chronic pain who have already developed opioid tolerance, the findings of this study suggest that nursing home patients may be at risk as a result of these inappropriate prescribing practices. (more…)
