2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids Implementation Guide
2022.1.0 - CI Build

2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids Implementation Guide, published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 2022.1.0 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/cqframework/opioid-cds-r4/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions

PlanDefinition: Recommendation #2 - Opioid Therapy Goals Discussion (Experimental)

Official URL: http://fhir.org/guides/cdc/opioid-cds/PlanDefinition/opioidcds-02 Version: 2022.1.0
Draft as of 2025-04-24 Computable Name: PlanDefinition_Recommendation_02_Order_Sign
Other Identifiers: cdc-opioid-guidance (use: official, )

Usage:Clinical Focus: Medication requested (situation), Clinical Focus: Chronic pain (finding), Clinical Focus: 

Copyright/Legal: © CDC 2016+.

Nonopioid therapies are preferred for subacute and chronic pain. Clinicians should maximize use of nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies as appropriate for the specific condition and patient and only consider initiating opioid therapy if expected benefits for pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient. Before starting opioid therapy for subacute or chronic pain, clinicians should discuss with patients the realistic benefits and known risks of opioid therapy, should work with patients to establish treatment goals for pain and function, and should consider how opioid therapy will be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks.

The 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the benefits and risks of pain treatments, including opioid therapy; improve the effectiveness and safety of pain treatment; mitigate pain; improve function and quality of life for patients with pain; and reduce risks associated with opioid pain therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. The recommendations do not apply to pain related to sickle cell disease or cancer or to patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care.

Id: opioidcds-02
Url: Recommendation #2 - Opioid Therapy Goals Discussion
Version: 2022.1.0
Identifier:

value: cdc-opioid-guidance

Name: PlanDefinition_Recommendation_02_Order_Sign
Title: Recommendation #2 - Opioid Therapy Goals Discussion
Status: draft
Experimental: true
Type:

system: http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/plan-definition-type

code: eca-rule

display: ECA Rule

Date: 2025-04-24
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Description: Nonopioid therapies are preferred for subacute and chronic pain. Clinicians should maximize use of nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies as appropriate for the specific condition and patient and only consider initiating opioid therapy if expected benefits for pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient. Before starting opioid therapy for subacute or chronic pain, clinicians should discuss with patients the realistic benefits and known risks of opioid therapy, should work with patients to establish treatment goals for pain and function, and should consider how opioid therapy will be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks.
Logic Definitions:
Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Chronic Pain Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential Prescriptions 0
define "Chronic Pain Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential Prescriptions":
  ( Common."Is Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential?"( ContextPrescriptions ) ) AmbulatoryOpioidPrescription
    where Routines."Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Prescription?"( AmbulatoryOpioidPrescription )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Patient Is Being Prescribed Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential 1
define "Patient Is Being Prescribed Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential":
  exists( "Chronic Pain Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential Prescriptions" )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Patient Age Less Than 18 2
define "Patient Age Less Than 18":
  if (Config."Age Less than 18 Years Is Enabled") then
    AgeInYearsAt(Today()) < 18
  else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Condition Positive for Sickle Cell 3
define "Condition Positive for Sickle Cell":
  if (Config."Sickle Cell Check Enabled") then
    exists(
      Common."Positive Sickle Cell Condition"
    ) 
  else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Active Cancer Treatment? 4
define "Is Active Cancer Treatment?":
  if (Config."Active Cancer Treatment Encounters Condition Is Enabled") 
    then "Has Two or More Encounters with Cancer Diagnosis During Encounter Period"
      or "Has Active Cancer Diagnosis on Problem List"
  else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Conditions Likely Terminal for Opioid Prescribing 5
define "Conditions Likely Terminal for Opioid Prescribing":
  if (Config."End-Stage Disease Criteria Enabled") then
    exists (
      Common."US Core-Categorized Conditions" EOLC
        where EOLC.code in Common."Conditions likely terminal for opioid prescribing"
          // and EOLC.clinicalStatus in Common."Active Condition"
    )
  else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Opioid Review Useful? 6
define "Is Opioid Review Useful?":
  not "Patient Age Less Than 18"
    and not "Condition Positive for Sickle Cell"
    and not "Is Active Cancer Treatment?"
    and not "Conditions Likely Terminal for Opioid Prescribing"


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Has Opioid RX with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days 7
define "Has Opioid RX with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days":
    if (Config."Opioid Naive Prescription Condition Is Enabled") then
      exists ("Opioid RX with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days")
    else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Has Opioid Dispense with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days 8
define "Has Opioid Dispense with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days":
  if (Config."Opioid Naive Prescription Condition Is Enabled") then
    exists ("Opioid Dispense with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days")
  else false


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Opioid Naive? 9
// NOTE: MedicationStatement-dependent logic comment out due to bug in Publisher not supporting MedicationStatement in AllTypes.
define "Is Opioid Naive?":
    not ("Has Opioid RX with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days")
    /* and not ("Has Report of Opioid with Ambulatory Care Abuse Potential Reported in Past 90 Days") */
    and not ("Has Opioid Dispense with Ambulatory Abuse Potential In Past 90 Days")


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSCommonConfig Opioid Treatment Plan Verification Enabled 10
// Recommendation 2
define "Opioid Treatment Plan Verification Enabled":
  true


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Treatment Plan Lookback Period 11
define "Treatment Plan Lookback Period":
  Interval[Today() - 90 days, Today()]


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Opioid Treatment Plan Creation or Update in Past 90 Days 12
define "Opioid Treatment Plan Creation or Update in Past 90 Days":
  [CarePlan: category in Common."Pain treatment plan"] PainTreatmentPlan
    where PainTreatmentPlan.status in { 'active', 'completed' }
      and (
        FHIRHelpers.ToDateTime( PainTreatmentPlan.created ) during day of "Treatment Plan Lookback Period"
          or PainTreatmentPlan.meta.lastUpdated during day of "Treatment Plan Lookback Period"
      )
      and exists(
        "Chronic Pain Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential Prescriptions".recorder Recorder
          where Recorder ~ PainTreatmentPlan.author
      )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Had Opioid Treatment Plan Reviewed in Past 90 Days 13
define "Had Opioid Treatment Plan Reviewed in Past 90 Days":
  exists (
    [Procedure: Common."Pain management procedure"] PainManagementProcedure
      where PainManagementProcedure.performed during day of "Treatment Plan Lookback Period"
        and exists (
          PainManagementProcedure.performer Performer
            with "Chronic Pain Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential Prescriptions" ChronicPainScript
            such that Performer.actor ~ ChronicPainScript.recorder
        )
  )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 No Opioid Treatment Plan Created, was Edited or Reviewed in Past 90 Days? 14
define "No Opioid Treatment Plan Created, was Edited or Reviewed in Past 90 Days?":
  Config."Opioid Treatment Plan Verification Enabled"
    and not (
      exists ( "Opioid Treatment Plan Creation or Update in Past 90 Days" )
        or "Had Opioid Treatment Plan Reviewed in Past 90 Days"
    )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Inclusion Criteria 15
define "Inclusion Criteria":
  "Patient Is Being Prescribed Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential"
    and Routines."Is Opioid Review Useful?"
    and Routines."Is Opioid Naive?"
    and "No Opioid Treatment Plan Created, was Edited or Reviewed in Past 90 Days?"


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSREC02 Is Recommendation Applicable? 16
define "Is Recommendation Applicable?":
  "Inclusion Criteria"


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSCommon Is Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential? 17
define function "Is Opioid Analgesic with Ambulatory Misuse Potential?"(value List<MedicationRequest>):
  ("Get MedicationRequest Medication as Code"(value)) Rx
    where Rx.medication in "Opioid analgesics with ambulatory misuse potential" 
      and Rx.category in "Community"


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSCommon Get MedicationRequest Medication as Code 18
define function "Get MedicationRequest Medication as Code"(value List<MedicationRequest>):
  value Rx
    let Med: 
      if Rx.medication is Reference then singleton from (
        [Medication] M
          where M.id = (Last(Split((Rx.medication as FHIR.Reference).reference, '/')))
      ) else null
    return 
      MedicationRequest {
        id: Rx.id,
        status: Rx.status,
        intent: Rx.intent,
        category: Rx.category,
        medication: if Rx.medication is Reference then Med.code else Rx.medication as CodeableConcept,
        subject: Rx.subject,
        authoredOn: Rx.authoredOn,
        recorder: Rx.recorder,
        dosageInstruction: Rx.dosageInstruction,
        dispenseRequest: Rx.dispenseRequest
      }


Library NameNamesequence
FHIRHelpers ToConcept 19
define function ToConcept(concept FHIR.CodeableConcept):
    if concept is null then
        null
    else
        System.Concept {
            codes: concept.coding C return ToCode(C),
            display: concept.text.value
        }


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Prescription? 20
// End of Active Cancer Treatment Routine

/*
**  Routine #4
**  For Subacute or Chronic Pain Routine
**
**  Definition                  | Answer to Proceed   | Details                                        | Data (Terminology) Requirement
**  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**  Order for opioid analgesic  | Yes                 | Order for opioid analgesics with ambulatory    | Opioid analgesics with
**  with expected supply        |                     | misuse potential with a supply duration of >=  | ambulatory misuse potential
**  duration >= 28 days         |                     | 28 days                                        |
**                              |                     |                                                |
**                              |                     | - Subacute definition = order for opioid       |
**                              |                     |   analgesics with ambulatory misuse            |
**                              |                     |   potential with a supply duration of one to   |
**                              |                     |   two months.                                  |
**                              |                     | - Chronic pain definition = order for opioid   |
**                              |                     |   analgesics with ambulatory misuse            |
**                              |                     |   potential with a supply duration of >= two   |
**                              |                     |   months.                                      |
**  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**
*/

define function "Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Prescription?"(prescription FHIR.MedicationRequest):
  "Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Expected Supply Duration"(prescription)
    or "Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Validity Period"(prescription)


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Expected Supply Duration 21
define function "Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Expected Supply Duration"(prescription FHIR.MedicationRequest):
  (
    prescription.dispenseRequest is not null
      and prescription.dispenseRequest.expectedSupplyDuration is not null
      and (
        Common.GetDurationInDays(prescription.dispenseRequest.expectedSupplyDuration) >= 28 days 
      )
  )


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSCommon GetDurationInDays 22
define function GetDurationInDays(value FHIR.Duration):
  if value is null then null
  else
    case
      when value.code.value ~ 'a' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value * 365.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'mo' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value * 30.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'wk' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value * 7.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'd' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'h' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value / 24.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'min' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value / 60.0 / 24.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 's' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value / 60.0 / 60.0 / 24.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value ~ 'ms' then System.Quantity{ value: value.value.value / 60.0 / 60.0 / 24.0 / 1000.0, unit: 'days' }
      when value.code.value is null then Message(1000, true, 'Undefined', 'Error', 'Duration unit code is null')
      else Message(1000, true, 'Undefined', 'Error', 'Unsupported duration unit code: ' + value.code.value)
end


Library NameNamesequence
OpioidCDSRoutines Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Validity Period 23
define function "Is Subacute or Chronic Pain Using Validity Period"(prescription FHIR.MedicationRequest):
  (
    prescription.dispenseRequest is not null
      and prescription.dispenseRequest.validityPeriod is not null
      and (
        days between prescription.dispenseRequest.validityPeriod.start and prescription.dispenseRequest.validityPeriod.end >= 28 
      )
  )


Library NameNamesequence
FHIRHelpers ToDateTime 24
define function ToDateTime(value dateTime): value.value


Library NameNamesequence
FHIRHelpers ToString 25
define function ToString(value CarePlanStatus): value.value


Knowledge Capability: shareable computable executable publishable
Use Context:
codevaluedisplay
focus 182888003 Medication requested (situation)
focus 82423001 Chronic pain (finding)
focus
Purpose:

The 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the benefits and risks of pain treatments, including opioid therapy; improve the effectiveness and safety of pain treatment; mitigate pain; improve function and quality of life for patients with pain; and reduce risks associated with opioid pain therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. The recommendations do not apply to pain related to sickle cell disease or cancer or to patients receiving palliative or end-of-life care.

Usage: Before starting opioid therapy for subacute or chronic pain, clinicians should discuss with patients the realistic benefits and known risks of opioid therapy, should work with patients to establish treatment goals for pain and function, and should consider how opioid therapy will be discontinued if benefits do not outweigh risks.
Copyright:

© CDC 2016+.

Related Artifacts:

Documentation

Libraries:
Library - Recommendation #2 - Opioid Therapy Goals Discussion
Actions:
Maximize Nonopioid Therapies as Appropriate: For many types of subacute and chronic pain, consider maximizing the use of nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies as appropriate. [Recommendation 2 of the CDC 2022 Clinical Prescribing Guideline](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#Recommendation2) provides nonopioid therapy recommendations for common subacute and acute pain conditions. **Nonopioid Pharmacological Therapy** - [Back pain (chronic, moderate to severe)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=For%20moderate%20to%20severe%20chronic%20back%20pain%20or%20hip%20or%20knee%20osteoarthritis%20pain%2C%20a%20nonopioid%20strategy%20starting%20with%20acetaminophen%20or%20NSAIDs%20results%20in%20improved%20pain%20intensity%20with%20fewer%20side%20effects%20compared%20with%20a%20strategy%20starting%20with%20opioids%20(74)) - [Fibromyalgia](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=In%20patients%20with%20fibromyalgia%2C%20multiple,effectiveness%20is%20limited%20(8).) - [Hip or knee osteoarthritis pain (chronic)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=or%20hip%20or%20knee%20osteoarthritis%20pain%2C%20a%20nonopioid%20strategy%20starting%20with%20acetaminophen%20or%20NSAIDs%20results%20in%20improved%20pain%20intensity%20with%20fewer%20side%20effects%20compared%20with%20a%20strategy%20starting%20with%20opioids%20(74).) - [Neuropathic pain syndromes](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=Tricyclic%20antidepressants%2C%20SNRI%20antidepressants%2C%20selected%20anticonvulsants%2C%20or%20transdermal%20lidocaine%20are%20recommended%20for%20neuropathic%20pain%20syndromes%20(e.g.%2C%20diabetic%20neuropathy%20or%20postherpetic%20neuralgia)%20(156).) - [Temporomandibular disorder](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=For%20temporomandibular%20disorder%20pain%20that%20is%20not%20sufficiently%20improved%20with%20nonpharmacologic%20interventions%2C%20NSAIDs%20can%20be%20effective%20(179%2C180).) **Nonpharmacologic Treatments** - [Back pain (chronic)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=Clinicians%20should%20recommend%20appropriate%20noninvasive%20nonpharmacologic%20approaches%20to%20help%20manage%20chronic%20pain%2C%20such%20as%20exercise%20(e.g.%2C%20aerobic%2C%20aquatic%2C%20or%20resistance%20exercises)%20or%20exercise%20therapy%20(a%20prominent%20modality%20in%20physical%20therapy)%20for%20back%20pain) - [Back pain (low back, chronic)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=loss%20for%20knee%20osteoarthritis%3B%20manual%20therapies%20for%20hip%20osteoarthritis%3B-,psychological%20therapy%2C%20spinal%20manipulation%2C%20low%2Dlevel%20laser%20therapy%2C%20massage%2C%20mindfulness%2Dbased%20stress%20reduction%2C%20yoga%2C%20acupuncture%2C%20and%20multidisciplinary%20rehabilitation%20for%20low%20back%20pain,-%3B%20mind%2Dbody%20practices%20(e.g.%2C%20yoga%2C%20tai%20chi%2C%20or) - [Fibromyalgia](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=massage%2C%20and%20acupuncture%20for%20neck%20pain%3B%20cognitive-,behavioral%20therapy%2C%20myofascial%20release%20massage%2C%20mindfulness%20practices%2C%20tai%20chi%2C%20qigong%2C%20acupuncture%2C%20and%20multidisciplinary%20rehabilitation%20for%20fibromyalgia,-%3B%20and%20spinal%20manipulation%20for%20tension%20headache%20() - [Headache (tension)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=and%20spinal%20manipulation%20for%20tension%20headache.) - [Knee osteoarthritis pain (chronic)](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=Many%20noninvasive%20nonpharmacologic,for%20hip%20osteoarthritis%3B) - [Neck pain](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=mind%2Dbody%20practices%20(e.g.%2C%20yoga%2C%20tai%20chi%2C%20or%20qigong)%2C%20massage%2C%20and%20acupuncture%20for%20neck%20pain%3B) - [Temporomandibular disorder](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm#:~:text=For%20temporomandibular%20disorder%20pain%2C%20patient%20education%20and%20self%2Dcare%20can%20be%20effective%2C%20as%20can%20occlusal%20splints%20for%20some%20patients%20and%20biobehavioral%20therapy%20for%20prevention%20of%20disabling%20symptoms%20(172%2C173).)
When: Named Event: order-sign
If: Applicability: Check whether the current order is for an opioid with ambulatory misuse potential, a pain treatment plan has been established or edited within the past 90 days, a pain management procedure occurred within the past 90 days, the patient is opioid naive and if an opioid review is appropriate for the patient (Is Recommendation Applicable?)
Then:
: Document - Collaborated with patient to identify treatment goals
Then:
: Snooze* - Attempting alternate therapy, snooze 3 months
Then:
: Order - Select alternative therapies from order select
Then:
: Snooze* - N/A see comment, snooze 3 months
Then:
: Remove - Will remove triggering medication order
Then: