Prescribing tools and resources

Sample treatment agreements

Treatment agreements help ensure patients understand their role and responsibilities regarding their treatment, the responsibilities of the prescribing physician and the conditions under which the treatment may be terminated.

Sample opioid treatment agreement

Sample benzodiazepine receptor agonist treatment agreement

Tools and toolkits

Resource	Description	Organization	Access
Safe prescribing tool kit	Steps outlining the �� practice standard Safe Prescribing of Opioids and Sedatives	��	Download PDF
	A toolkit for reducing inappropriate use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics among older adults in hospitals	Choosing Wisely Canada
	Point of care tool that condenses key elements from the Canadian Opioid Guideline and can be used as a chart insert	Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network
Narcotic log sample	Sample spreadsheet for keeping track of controlled drug administration and purchasing records	��	Download PDF

Deprescribing and tapering guidelines

Resource	Description	Organization	Access
	Clinical practice guidelines for pain management	McMaster University
	Deprescribing guidelines to support health care providers and patients in reducing or stopping medications that may be harmful or no longer needed	Bruyère Research Institute
	Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines for safely stopping antidepressants, distinguishing withdrawal from relapse, and applying hyperbolic tapering techniques	Therapeutics Initiative, University of British Columbia

Resources for prescribers

Resource	Description	Organization	Access
	Article on how clinician’s word choices and objective actions can guide people in chronic pain through opioid use disorder and into effective treatment.	Practical Pain Management
	Using CBTi to help reduce and eliminate sleeping pill use.	Sleepwell
	Article on growing evidence of misuse and overdoses involving gabapentin	JAMA Network
	Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic pain	Government of BC
	Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic pain	Government of BC
	Infographic comparing morphine equivalence	Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada
	Prescribing guidelines for general practice	Royal Australian �� of General Practitioners
	Offers patients and health-care professionals access and expertise to drug therapy specialists	University of British Columbia
	Opioid and pain related links	RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan
	RxFiles newsletter (Fall 2017)	RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan
	RxFiles newsletter (Spring 2018)	RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan
	Article on the risk of collision responsibility associated with common classes of prescription medications	Lancet Public Health
	Treatment interventions for discussion with patients	The �� of Family Physicians of Canada
	BC ECHO on Substance Use is a provincial community of practice that aims to build capacity within primary care to treat and manage substance use disorders (SUDs) through monthly Project ECHO sessions and a monthly newsletter with information about SUD-related events, resources, and news	British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
	Guideline for prescribing and managing withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, Z-drugs and antidepressants in primary and secondary care	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
	Visual summary of recommendations to support prescribers before starting treatment with an opioid, benzodiazepine, gabapentinoid, Z-drug or antidepressant	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Resources for patients

Resource	Description	Organization	Access
	Plain language and patient-friendly materials to help patients learn about tests and treatments	Choosing Wisely Canada
	Resources for reducing the incidence of opioid misuse, overdose, and death and effective treatment of addiction	Medical Associates of Port Perry and North Durham Family Health Team
	Provincial harm reduction initiative designed to equip members of the public to respond in case of an opioid overdose	BCCDC Harm Reduction Services
	Access Take Home Naloxone kits and learn how to respond to an opioid overdose	BCCDC Harm Reduction Services
	Find a community pharmacy that provides free naloxone kits	BCCDC Harm Reduction Services
	Naloxone education and training resources for the public and pharmacy professionals	�� of Pharmacists of BC

Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise (RACE)

RACE was created to enhance patient care and provide timely treatment advice.

Easier access to the specialist reduces wait times or eliminates the need for referral, and can triage utilization of walk-in or emergency department services. The family physician or nurse practitioner may phone the RACE line and either speak to a specialist immediately, or receive a return call within two hours.

RACE is available in the following regions:

Vancouver Coastal/PHC
RACE local calls: 604-696-2131
Toll free: 1-877-696-2131
RACEapp+
Fraser Valley RACE
RACEapp+
South Island RACE
RACEapp+
Kootenay Boundary RACE
Toll free: 1-844-365-7223
Northern RACE
Toll free: 1-855-605-7223

Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RAAC)

The RAAC is designed to connect patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders with evidence-based treatment including Suboxone or methadone in order to stabilize the patient in the short term, and subsequently transfer them to a community care provider for ongoing monitoring, support and rehabilitation.

For patients without a regular health care provider, the RAAC will assist in linking them to one. All services are free.

RAAC is available in the following regions:

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