This study evaluates the effect of larger or smaller opioid prescriptions following minor surgery on the amount of narcotic used, patient reported satisfaction, refill requests, and leftover narcotic.
Patients are randomized to receive prescriptions for either 10 or 30 tabs of 5 mg hydrocodone/325 mg acetaminophen following minor hand surgery. Patients are allowed to request additional medication as needed. Patients are contacted by phone 10-14 days after their surgery to answer a questionnaire regarding number of pills taken, number of refills requested, number of remaining pills, their satisfaction with their pain control and their surgery, and their opinion regarding the appropriateness of the prescription size.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
Reduced number of pills in initial prescription post-operatively
Narcotic used
number of narcotic tabs taken by patient (5mg hydrocodone/325 mg acetaminophen)
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Number of refills requested
number of times patient requested additional pain medication
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Number of left over tabs
Number of left over usable narcotic tabs remaining in patient possession
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Patient reported efficacy of pain control
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Patient reported satisfaction with pain control
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Patient reported satisfaction with overall surgical experience
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
Patient Opinion Regarding Appropriateness of Size of Initial Prescription
Time frame: 10-14 days post-op
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