The Role of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Led Acute Pain Service in Preventing Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use.

Given the present opioid crisis, the use of opioids in the hospital setting is an increasing concern among hospital administrators and healthcare professionals. A serious problem related to surgical care is persistent postoperative opioid use among previously opioid-naïve patients. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are strategically positioned within the hospital setting to address these concerns. These individuals are actively involved in managing the pain of their patients and can therefore lead change in relation to the opioid crisis. This article profiles a multidisciplinary acute pain service developed in a Magnet redesignated hospital led by CRNAs that has demonstrated positive outcomes in decreasing the use of opioids postprocedure and postdischarge, education for healthcare providers, information for community members related to opioid abuse, and support of new protocols, including Enhanced Recovery After Surgery.