Frequently Asked Questions

Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department, or PACED, is an ACEP-governed national accreditation program which seeks to improve pain management for patients in the emergency department. It recognizes the need for prompt, safe, and effective pain management and treatment for patients in pain and/or addicted to pain medication.

A PACED-accredited ED promotes the following goals:

• To provide effective treatment for pain and/or addiction to pain medication for patients.
• To minimize the use of opioid medications, reserving them for when they are necessary.
• To accelerate the distribution and implementation of best practices.
• To ensure that emergency physicians have the necessary resources, protocols and training to provide optimal acute pain and addiction management.
• To ensure that facilities that market themselves as ED Pain and Addiction Management Programs meet a baseline set of standards that ensure their ability to provide high-quality care to patients suffering from pain.
• To assist patients, families, and emergency medical services providers in decision-making about where to seek acute care through a recognizable brand.
• To incentivize hospitals to develop programs focused on optimizing ED care for patients suffering from pain and/or addiction and to reward and acknowledge those that are already providing excellent care to these patients.
• To provide a mechanism for hospitals to periodically reassess the care they provide to patients suffering from pain in the ED to ensure that they are maintaining high-quality care and incorporating innovations to the standard of care.
• To provide a mechanism for rapid dissemination of advances in pain and addiction management

Three levels of accreditation with increasing requirements are available. The bronze level is within reach of every hospital. The silver and gold levels have higher standards that will require more focused effort and resources to be dedicated to patients with substance use disorders. Hospitals will start at the level that is most appropriate for their current resources and strive to reach a higher level over time.

The accreditation program was developed by nationally known experts and leaders in pain and addiction care in the emergency department (ED). The leaders within PACED were appointed by the ACEP Board of Directors to the PACED Board of Governors.

Accreditation is an excellent way to convey to your patients, colleagues, and community that your ED cares about the service it provides. PACED accreditation specifically, is for departments and hospitals that seek to improve pain management for patients in the ED and recognize the need for prompt, safe, and effective pain management and treatment for patients. Please see our benefits page for further information.

Benefits

Gold level PACED accreditation, led by a collaborative multidisciplinary team within the hospital and community, recognizes emergency departments with a comprehensive program to provide optimal care for patients suffering from pain and/or addiction through advanced management-specific treatment, protocols, training and resources.

Silver level PACED accreditation, led by a physician champion, recognizes emergency departments providing additional strategies, protocols, resources, and training demonstrating a special commitment to quality care for patients suffering from pain and/or addiction.

Bronze level PACED accreditation, led by a clinical champion, recognizes emergency departments that have established basic protocols and resources for addressing patients with pain and/or addiction issues.

Accreditation Levels

The Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) accreditation program is accepting applications from hospital emergency departments (EDs) with a desire to improve pain management for patients in the ED and that recognize the need for prompt, safe, and effective pain management and treatment for patients in pain and/or addicted to pain medication.

Apply Now

Accreditation lasts three years. At the conclusion of the three-year period, departments are encouraged to renew at the same level, or if applicable, consider applying for a higher level.

Each emergency department (ED) must submit its own application, regardless of its affiliation with a health care system, as each department's resources, processes, quality plans and personnel likely will differ by facility.

A completed and submitted application will be reviewed by two ACEP-appointed expert pain and addiction management emergency physicians. Applicants may be asked additional questions to clarify parts of the application. The entire process is anticipated to take approximately eight weeks, depending on application level.

If you deleted your application but have changed your mind, contact us. Applications that are older than five months will not be reinstated.

Contact Us

Application fees are based on level:

• Gold level: $10,000
• Silver level: $5,000
• Bronze level: $2,500

Accreditation will be granted for three years.

Accreditation Levels

Accreditation applications are being accepted now. There are a number of documents that will be required to complete your application. Please review the sample documents page and gather these required elements before starting your online application.

Please review the Accreditation Levels page and gather these required elements before starting your online application.

Accreditation Levels