Alert
This site has not been optimised for Internet Explorer due to Microsoft no longer providing support for the browser. Please view this site using another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Te Pū rauemi KOWHEORI-19 COVID-19 resource hub

Support for people working in health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find information about how you can support yourselves and others, including consumers, teams and colleagues which complements and aligns with Ministry of Health resources.

Kia āta kōwhiri Choosing Wisely

The Choosing Wisely campaign seeks to reduce harm from unnecessary and low-value tests and treatment.

Back to previous page

Update on the safe use of opioids collaborative

Medicines (Reducing harm)
05 September 2014

An update from the Health Quality & Safety Commission's Medication Safety programme on the safe use of opioids collaborative. In this update:

National collaborative team

The Medication Safety programme welcomes the members of the national safe use of opioids collaborative:

  • Avril Lee, Clinical Lead (on secondment from Waitemata DHB)
  • John Kristiansen, Project Manager
  • Prem Kumar, Quality Improvement Advisor.

The Commission is excited to have such a high caliber team to support and lead this work.

The expert faculty for the national collaborative is scheduled to meet in late September and again in early October. The faculty will review and discuss current evidence and guide the development of interventions and measures for quality improvement. Faculty members include palliative care specialists, pain practitioners, anaesthetists, medication safety and quality improvement specialists.

Regional Learning Session Zero workshop dates are being confirmed for late October/early November. The National Collaborative team is looking forward to meeting all DHB collaborative team members.

New video resource - the value of a collaborative

In this new video, Commission Senior Portfolio Manager, Carmela Petagna and Dr Shawn Sturland who was national clinical lead for the CLAB collaborative, discuss the importance of working together to improve best practice in the safe use of opioids. Shawn shares his experience of leading and participating in the CLAB collaborative and talks about the value of being engaged and participating in the collaborative from the outset.

Related article on oxycodone

A recent BPAC article (July 2014 edition) “How did we get here and how do we fix it” provides commentary on high-risk medicines focusing on increasing volumes in oxycodone prescribing. It is a thought provoking read and makes positive links to the Medication Safety programme’s focus on the safe use of opioids in hospital settings.

Visit the Open for better care website for an update on the high-risk medicine campaign focus.


Relevant pages