Impacting the Disposal of Unused Opioid

Rush University Medical Center563 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of proper opioid disposal in patients receiving an educational brochure compared to an automated text message delivered directly to patients' cell phones alongside the brochure, compared to no education on the subject.

Opioids are used to treat acute pain after surgery, but can lead to misuse and abuse. Very few patients properly dispose of unused opioids and the majority of opioids are stored in the home in unlocked containers as opposed to being properly disposed of. Improper disposal of opioid medications is a concern due to the potential for nonmedical use and has the potential to cause injury or death for patients and their family members that can access the medications. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of proper opioid disposal in patients receiving an educational brochure compared to an automated text message delivered directly to patients' cell phones alongside the brochure, compared to no education on the subject. There is evidence that an educational brochure significantly increases proper disposal rates, albeit only to about 25%. The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of an educational pamphlet on proper opioid disposal in the total joint arthoplasty population, and to see if the addition of a text messaging system can increase further increase proper disposal rates.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

563

Conditions

Opioid Use and Disposal

Interventions

Pamphlet educationOTHER

Patients receive an educational intervention explaining proper opioid disposal

Pamphlet education + textsOTHER

Patients receive an educational intervention and text message explaining proper opioid disposal

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Any patient undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty * Age ≥18 years old Exclusion Criteria: * Patients allergic to oxycodone * Patients consuming opioids during the 4 weeks prior to surgery * Patients with a history of opioid dependence * Patients undergoing revision total knee or hip arthroplasty * Non-English speaking patients * Age \<18 years old

Locations (1)

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Disposal rates

The rate of an arm's disposal is calculated by comparing the number that properly disposed of their excess medication to the number that did not

Time frame: 6 weeks after surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Continued taking opiate rate

We will also look at whether the education affects the number of patients that continue taking opiates

Time frame: 6 weeks after surgery

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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