Optimization of the medication-use process for fentanyl patches at a small community hospital.

Purpose: To describe a community hospital pharmacy department's novel approach to addressing safe use of fentanyl patches in acute and subacute care patients.

Summary: Beginning in 2017, improvement opportunities were identified within the medication-use process for fentanyl patches at Cleveland Clinic Euclid Hospital. Prescribing was addressed through development of a procedure requiring an opioid status verification by a pharmacist for all fentanyl patch orders.