Tackling the opioid epidemic: Reducing opioid prescribing while maintaining patient satisfaction with pain management after outpatient surgery

Lauren D Allan; Catherine Coyne; Cheryl M Byrnes; Colette Galet; Dionne A Skeete

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.04.006

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Tackling the opioid epidemic: Reducing opioid prescribing while maintaining patient satisfaction with pain management after outpatient surgery

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Tackling the opioid epidemic: Reducing opioid prescribing while maintaining patient satisfaction with pain management after outpatient surgery

Lauren D Allan, Catherine Coyne, Cheryl M Byrnes, Colette Galet and Dionne A Skeete

The American journal of surgery, Vol.220(4), pp.1108-1114

10/2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.04.006

PMCID: PMC7709892

PMID: 32409011

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Abstract

Results of a quality improvement (QI) project to standardize our opioid prescribing practices following five common outpatient general surgery procedures are presented. Opioid prescribing habits were reviewed from June to December 2017. QI measures were implemented. We prospectively collected data on opioid prescribing habits and patients' pain management ratings from September 2018 to February 2019. Following implementation, combination pills were less prescribed. More patients were prescribed adjuncts pre- (66% vs. 3%; p < 0.01) and post-operatively (85% vs. 50%; p < 0.01). One-third of pills were prescribed (1363 vs. 4185), with only 520 consumed. Average OME prescribed decreased from 179 to 127 mg (p < 0.001). At follow-up, 52 patients (54%) reported taking 11 pills (1-20) post-operatively for five days. Pain management was rated as good/excellent (88.6%) or fair (9.3%). Using a pragmatic multimodal approach, decreasing opioid prescriptions at discharge allows for adequate pain management.

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Aged, 80 and over

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures

Analgesics, Opioid - pharmacology

Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Opioid Epidemic - statistics & numerical data

Pain Management - methods

Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy

Patient Satisfaction

Practice Patterns, Physicians

Quality Improvement

Retrospective Studies

Surveys and Questionnaires

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Tackling the opioid epidemic: Reducing opioid prescribing while maintaining patient satisfaction with pain management after outpatient surgery
Creators: Lauren D Allan - University of Iowa
Catherine Coyne - University of Iowa
Cheryl M Byrnes - University of Iowa
Colette Galet - University of Iowa
Dionne A Skeete - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The American journal of surgery, Vol.220(4), pp.1108-1114
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.04.006
PMID: 32409011
PMCID: PMC7709892
NLM abbreviation: Am J Surg
ISSN: 0002-9610
eISSN: 1879-1883
Grant note: UL1 TR002537 / NCATS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/2020
Academic Unit: Surgery; Injury Prevention Research Center; University of Iowa Health Care
Record Identifier: 9984322800002771

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17 Times Cited - Web of Science