EPIC and setting a maximum dose of strong opioids

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Waleed Alshehri
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Joined: 08/09/2018 - 18:43
EPIC and setting a maximum dose of strong opioids

Dear all,

We are in the process of implementing the EPIC system in our institution. As you know, there are several strong opioids that do not have a ceiling effect (no maximum dose). However, we are dealing with different physicians from different backgrounds and different situations other than cancer pain. So, my question is for those who have the EPIC system (or maybe any other CPOE system), do you set up a maximum dose as a safety guard (part of CDSS) in your system to alert the physicians and prevent potential errors? if yes, what are the references that indicate the maximum dose of the strong opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl?

I appreciate any clarification on this topic