Non-Opioid Directive
What is a Non-Opioid Directive?
A non-opioid directive is a form you can fill out to tell your doctors and nurses that you do not want opioid medicines. Opioids are strong pain medicines, like morphine or oxycodone. Some people do not want these medicines because they can cause side effects or addiction.
When you sign this form, your healthcare team will use other ways to help with pain, like non-opioid medicines or other treatments. This form helps make sure everyone knows your choice. A few key things to know:
- An individual who has executed a nonopioid directive on their own behalf may revoke the directive at any time and in any way, they are able to communicate their intent to revoke the form.
- A guardian or patient’s advocate can revoke at any time by issuing a revocation in writing and providing notice of the revocation to the individual’s health professional or their delegate.
- This directive does not apply to:
- A patient receiving opioids for substance use disorder treatment.
- A patient who is in hospice.
- A patient is being treated at a hospital, or in a setting outside of a hospital in the case of an emergency, and, in the prescriber’s professional opinion, the administration of the opioid is medically necessary to treat the individual.
How do you complete the form?
- Fill in your name and other information on the form.
- Sign and date it to show your choice.
- You can ask your doctor or nurse if you need help.
What should you do after filling it out?
- Keep a copy for yourself.
- Bring a copy with you when you go to the hospital or your doctor’s office.
- You can also give copies to your healthcare team so they know your wishes.
