Ensuring Emergency Department Patient Access to Adequate and Appropriate Pain Treatment

Originated as CR17 and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors as a policy statement October 2012

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP):

• Supports ACEP state chapters having the autonomy to establish guidelines or protocols for pain management of emergency department patients;     
• Supports the development of evidence-based, coordinated pain treatment guidelines, promoting adequate pain control, health care access, and flexibility for physician clinical judgment; and
• Opposes non-evidence based public or private limits on prescribing opiates, mandatory opioid related documentation, and mandatory opioid related CME.