IPSIS Comments on Inter-Agency Task Force’s Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices

On March 21, 2019, the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force on the Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations. The report addresses chronic and acute pain and proposes best practice recommendations with an intent to identify gaps or inconsistencies in pain management.

IPSIS identified several missing pieces of high quality evidence regarding interventional procedures, in particular regarding epidural steroid injections; clarified language about facet joint nerve blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy; and advised that additional evidence is needed to support statements within the report related to pulsed radiofrequency, peripheral nerve blocks, and intrathecal pain pumps. In addition, IPSIS addressed issues regarding scope of practice and insurance coverage.

Click here to read IPSIS’s comments.