Investigators studied a baseline population of patients receiving pancreatectomies at their institution and determined how many opioid pills each patient was prescribed and how many they took. Based on this data they created a toolkit to provide to prescribers to give patients a modified number of pills. The amount prescribed and consumed was measured after intervention.
A single academic surgical department reviewed opioid treatment patterns for patients undergoing common procedures, including open pancreatectomy, and an opioid reduction toolkit using the data collected was created. Providers were educated on the use of the toolkit and it was implemented as a standard of practice. Data were collected on pancreatectomy patients via telephone interview (performed at 2 weeks post-op) and by reviewing the state prescription drug monitoring program. Outcome variables included morphine milliequivalents (MME) of pills prescribed, MME of pills consumed, number of patients aware of proper unused pill disposal, number of patients requesting refills, and pain scores. Categorical and continuous outcomes were compared within and between groups.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
159
Providers had to prescribe 15 oxycodone pills to each patient discharge
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Number of opioid pills reported being taken by the patient
Patients will be interviewed fourteen days after procedure and asked how many opioid pills they have taken since being discharged form the hospitals
Time frame: 14 days
Number of opioid pills being prescribed
Discharge paperwork and prescription information will be searched to determine the number of opioid pills were provided to the patient at discharge
Time frame: 14 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.