SSM Health emergency room staff see firsthand the way these drugs affect individuals, families and communities. When it comes to pain management, the last thing we want is unnecessary exposure to opioids. Our goal is to protect you.
We will work with you to set realistic pain-relief goals. With the help of our staff, you can plan for your pain, take your pain in stride, and soon get back to your usual activities.
While in ER, you will be prescribed only safe and effective pain treatments. The goal of these treatments is to reduce pain until it is moderate discomfort. To that end, you can expect non-drug treatments (such as heat, cold, and gentle exercise) and in some cases Tylenol or Advil.
Without exception, SSM Health will avoid opioid injections in all cases of flare-up pain that aren’t related to cancer. In fact, very rarely would an SSM Health employee prescribe opioids in the emergency room. Our strong preference is for your primary care doctor or pain specialist to provide all and any guidance related to opioid prescriptions.
So if you already are on opioid medications in the long-term, we will avoid prescribing opioids. Even if you have run out of medication, or have lost previous prescriptions, we will refuse a new prescription. Instead, we recommend that you follow up immediately with your primary care doctor or pain specialist.
We understand that milder treatments may ask that you endure some pain or discomfort in the short term. Please keep in mind that we have your best interests at heart. With proper treatment, you will be able to manage your pain while totally preventing risky exposure to opioids.
