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Bazinski M, Lau C, Clemons B, Purser L, Kangwankij A, Ngo L, Lang M, Besen B, Gross K, Borucki A, Behrends M, Miaskowski C, Schell-Chaple H. The Development and Implementation of the Fast-Pace Assessment Framework and Tiered Analgesic Orders for Opioid Optimization. Pain Manag Nurs 2024; 25:231-240. [PMID: 38522974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the context of the opioid epidemic, changes needed to be made in the prescription and administration of analgesics. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of a project that utilized a holistic pain assessment framework and introduced new order sets to guide the integration of nonopioid, opioid, and co-analgesics in a quaternary care medical center. METHODS An interdisciplinary team updated policies and procedures for pain assessment and opioid administration and created new analgesic order sets for both adult and pediatric patients. Following requisite approvals, these order sets were integrated into the electronic health record. Education of clinicians, patients, and caregivers was provided to facilitate implementation of these new clinical practices. RESULTS Prescribers' levels of adherence with the use of the pain order sets ranged from 80% to 90% and no adverse effects were reported. Education of nursing staff was incorporated into hospital orientation. Ongoing evaluations are providing insights into how the new policies and procedures can be optimized to ensure reliable, safe, and effective pain management. CONCLUSIONS Since the implementation of the opioid optimization project, adherence with the tiered, multimodal approach to analgesic prescribing is high. Next steps include both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the benefits and challenges associated with this practice change. For example, systems will be developed to monitor nurses' adherence with the implementation of the pain order sets and the use of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain management interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Lau
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Brooke Clemons
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Lisa Purser
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Amy Kangwankij
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Lena Ngo
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Michael Lang
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Brianna Besen
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Kendall Gross
- Department of Pharmacy, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Amber Borucki
- Pediatric Anesthesiology and Pediatric Pain Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, California
| | - Matthias Behrends
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Christine Miaskowski
- Department of Nursing, UCSF Health, San Francisco, California; School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California; School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Galao-Malo R, Davidson A, D'Aoust R, Baker D, Scott M, Swain J. Implementing an evidence-based guideline to decrease opioids after cardiac surgery. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2024; 36:241-248. [PMID: 38236128 DOI: 10.1097/jxx.0000000000000982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deaths related to overdoses continue growing in the United States. The overprescription of opioids after surgical procedures may contribute to this problem. LOCAL PROBLEM There is inconsistency in the prescription of opioids in cardiovascular surgery patients. Recommendations regarding the reduction of opioids at discharge are not fully implemented. METHODS This is a single-center, pre-post quality improvement project in adult patients after elective cardiac surgery through sternotomy. INTERVENTIONS Changes in guidelines, modification of order sets, creation of dashboards, and education to the providers to increase the prescription of acetaminophen around the clock on the step-down unit and at discharge, decrease the number of opioid tablets to 25 or less at discharge and decrease the prescription of opioids to 25 or less morphine milligram equivalents (MME) at discharge. RESULTS The preintervention group included 67 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery from November to December 2021. The postintervention group had 67 patients during the same period in 2022. Acetaminophen prescription on the step-down unit increased from 9% to 96% ( p < .001). The proportion of patients discharged with 25 or less opioid tablets increased from 18% to 90% ( p < .001) and with 25 or less MME from 30% to 55% ( p < .01). Acetaminophen prescription at discharge increased from 10% to 48% ( p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Our intervention increased the use of acetaminophen and decreased the overprescription of opioids in cardiac surgery patients at discharge. Further research is necessary to continue improving pain management to reduce the number of opioids prescribed at discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Galao-Malo
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Alison Davidson
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Rita D'Aoust
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Deborah Baker
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mackenzy Scott
- Cardiac Services, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Julie Swain
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
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Madera JD, Ruffino AE, Feliz A, McCall KL, Davis CS, Piper BJ. Declining but Pronounced State-Level Disparities in Prescription Opioid Distribution in the United States. PHARMACY 2024; 12:14. [PMID: 38251408 PMCID: PMC10801547 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The United States (US) opioid epidemic is a persistent and pervasive public health emergency that claims the lives of over 80,000 Americans per year as of 2021. There have been sustained efforts to reverse this crisis over the past decade, including a number of measures designed to decrease the use of prescription opioids for the treatment of pain. This study analyzed the changes in federal production quotas for prescription opioids and the distribution of prescription opioids for pain and identified state-level differences between 2010 and 2019. Data (in grams) on opioid production quotas and distribution (from manufacturer to hospitals, retail pharmacies, practitioners, and teaching institutions) of 10 prescription opioids (codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tapentadol) for 2010 to 2019 were obtained from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Amounts of each opioid were converted from grams to morphine milligram equivalent (MME), and the per capita distribution by state was calculated using population estimates. Total opioid production quotas increased substantially from 2010 to 2013 before decreasing by 41.5% from 2013 (87.6 MME metric tons) to 2019 (51.3). The peak year for distribution of all 10 prescription opioids was between 2010 and 2013, except for codeine (2015). The largest quantities of opioid distribution were observed in Tennessee (520.70 MME per person) and Delaware (251.45) in 2011 and 2019. There was a 52.0% overall decrease in opioid distribution per capita from 2010 to 2019, with the largest decrease in Florida (-61.6%) and the smallest in Texas (-18.6%). Southern states had the highest per capita distribution for eight of the ten opioids in 2019. The highest to lowest state ratio of total opioid distribution, corrected for population, decreased from 5.25 in 2011 to 2.78 in 2019. The mean 95th/5th ratio was relatively consistent in 2011 (4.78 ± 0.70) relative to 2019 (5.64 ± 0.98). This study found a sustained decline in the distribution of ten prescription opioids during the last five years. Distribution was non-homogeneous at the state level. Analysis of state-level differences revealed a fivefold difference in the 95th:5th percentile ratio between states, which has remained unchanged over the past decade. Production quotas did not correspond with the distribution, particularly in the 2010-2016 period. Future research, focused on identifying factors contributing to the observed regional variability in opioid distribution, could prove valuable to understanding and potentially remediating the pronounced disparities in prescription opioid-related harms in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Madera
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, USA; (J.D.M.); (A.E.R.); (A.F.); (B.J.P.)
| | - Amanda E. Ruffino
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, USA; (J.D.M.); (A.E.R.); (A.F.); (B.J.P.)
| | - Adriana Feliz
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, USA; (J.D.M.); (A.E.R.); (A.F.); (B.J.P.)
| | - Kenneth L. McCall
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of New England, Portland, ME 04103, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Binghamton University, Johnson City, NY 13790, USA
| | | | - Brian J. Piper
- Department of Medical Education, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, USA; (J.D.M.); (A.E.R.); (A.F.); (B.J.P.)
- Center for Pharmacy Innovation and Outcomes, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA 18704, USA
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Allen LD, Pollini RA, Vaglienti R, Powell D. Opioid Prescribing Patterns After Imposition of Setting-Specific Limits on Prescription Duration. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2024; 5:e234731. [PMID: 38241057 PMCID: PMC10799257 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.4731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Despite their widespread adoption across the US, policies imposing one-size-fits-all limits on the duration of prescriptions for opioids have shown modest and mixed implications for prescribing. Objective To assess whether a prescription duration limit policy tailored to different clinical settings was associated with shorter opioid prescription lengths. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study examined changes in opioid prescribing patterns for opioid-naive Medicaid enrollees aged 12 to 64 years before and after implementation of a statewide prescription duration limit policy in West Virginia in June 2018. Patients with cancer or Medicare coverage were excluded. The policy assigned a 7-day duration limit to opioid prescriptions for adults treated in outpatient hospital- or office-based practices, a 4-day limit for adults treated in emergency departments, and a 3-day limit for pediatric patients younger than 18 years regardless of clinical setting. Data were examined from January 1, 2017, through September 30, 2019, and data were analyzed from June 12 to October 30, 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Whether a patient's initial opioid prescription was longer in days than the June 2018 policy limit for a given care setting before and after policy implementation. Interrupted time series models were used to calculate the association between the policy's implementation and outcomes. Results The analytic sample included 44 703 Medicaid enrollees (27 957 patients [62.5%] before policy implementation and 16 746 patients [37.5%] after policy implementation; mean [SD] age, 33.9 [13.4] years; 27 461 females [61.4%]). Among adults treated in outpatient hospital- or office-based settings, the duration limit policy was associated with a decrease of 8.83 (95% CI, -10.43 to -7.23) percentage points (P < .001), or a 56.8% relative reduction, in the proportion of prescriptions exceeding the 7-day limit. In the emergency department setting, the policy was associated with a decrease of 7.03 (95% CI, -10.38 to -3.68) percentage points (P < .001), a 37.5% relative reduction, in the proportion of prescriptions exceeding the 4-day limit. The proportion of pediatric opioid prescriptions longer than the 3-day limit decreased by 12.80 (95% CI, -17.31 to -8.37) percentage points (P < .001), a 26.5% relative reduction, after the policy's implementation. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that opioid prescription duration limits tailored to different clinical settings are associated with reduced length of prescriptions for opioid-naive patients. Additional research is needed to evaluate whether these limits are associated with reductions in the incidence of opioid use disorder or with unintended consequences, such as shifts to illicit opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay D. Allen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robin A. Pollini
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Richard Vaglienti
- Center for Integrative Pain Management, West Virginia University, Morgantown
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Reiter AJ, Huang R, Iroz CB, Slocum JD, D'Orazio BM, Johnson JK, Stulberg JJ. Adherence to Opioid Prescribing Guidelines in a Statewide Surgical Quality Improvement Collaborative. J Surg Res 2024; 293:274-280. [PMID: 37804797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opioid crisis is an ongoing crisis in the United States. Postoperative patients who receive opioid prescriptions have a 3%-7% risk of developing a chronic opioid abuse problem. This study aims to describe on-target opioid prescribing and use of multimodal pain management strategies 2 y after the implementation of a multicomponent quality improvement initiative across our statewide collaborative. METHODS From July 2020 to September 2021, we prospectively collected data on opioid-prescribing and multimodal strategies for 10 targeted procedures in general, gynecologic, and orthopedic surgery at three hospitals. Prescribing was on-target if a patient was prescribed ≤50 daily morphine milligram equivalents. Multimodal strategies were defined as two or more nonopioid adjuncts used within 48 h of surgery. RESULTS One thousand and eleven targeted procedures were performed with prescription data available for 993 cases. The on-target prescribing rate was 79.6% (n = 790), with general surgery 92.5% (n = 285), gynecology 84.9% (n = 331), and orthopedic surgery 59.0% (n = 174). Patients who received multimodal pain approaches were associated with interventions such as patient education, transversus abdominus plane block, and prescriptions for nonopioid analgesics at discharge. There was no evidence to support a difference in the use of multimodal pain control approaches between patients whose opioid prescribing was on-target or not (73.8% versus 77.3%, P = 0.30). At the first postoperative visit, data on continued opioid use were missing in 57.3% of patients, number of pills used was missing in 93.8%, and adequate pain control was missing in 52.8%. CONCLUSIONS On-target prescribing and multimodal strategies are common but vary by specialty. Additionally, postoperative pain control and opioid use are often not documented. To better match prescribing to patient needs, understanding patient-level and specialty-level opioid use is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audra J Reiter
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Reiping Huang
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Cassandra B Iroz
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John D Slocum
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brianna M D'Orazio
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Julie K Johnson
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Sciences Center of Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas.
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6
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Kelm JD, Aubry ST, Cain-Nielsen AH, Scott JW, Oliphant BW, Sangji NF, Waljee JF, Hemmila MR. Impact of state opioid laws on prescribing in trauma patients. Surgery 2023; 174:1255-1262. [PMID: 37709648 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive opioid prescribing has resulted in opioid diversion and misuse. In July 2018, Michigan's Public Act 251 established a state-wide policy limiting opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a 7-day supply. Traumatic injury increases the risk for new persistent opioid use, yet the impact of prescribing policy in trauma patients remains unknown. To determine the relationship between policy enactment and prescribing in trauma patients, we compared oral morphine equivalents prescribed at discharge before and after implementation of Public Act 251. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, adult patients who received any oral opioids at discharge from a Level 1 trauma center between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2021, were identified. The exposure was patients admitted starting July 1, 2018. Inpatient oral morphine equivalents per day 48 hours before discharge and discharge prescription oral morphine equivalents per day were calculated. Student's t test and an interrupted time series analysis were performed to compare mean oral morphine equivalents per day pre- and post-policy. Multivariable risk adjustment accounted for patient/injury factors and inpatient oral morphine equivalent use. RESULTS A total of 3,748 patients were included in the study (pre-policy n = 1,685; post-policy n = 2,063). Implementation of the prescribing policy was associated with a significant decrease in mean discharge oral morphine equivalents per day (34.8 ± 49.5 vs 16.7 ± 32.3, P < .001). After risk adjustment, post-policy discharge prescriptions differed by -19.2 oral morphine equivalents per day (95% CI -21.7 to -16.8, P < .001). The proportion of patients obtaining a refill prescription 30 days post-discharge did not increase after implementation (0.38 ± 0.48 vs 0.37 ± 0.48, P = .7). CONCLUSION Discharge prescription amounts for opioids in trauma patients decreased by approximately one-half after the implementation of opioid prescribing policies, and there was no compensatory increase in subsequent refill prescriptions. Future work is needed to evaluate the effect of these policies on the adequacy of pain management and functional recovery after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D Kelm
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Staci T Aubry
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anne H Cain-Nielsen
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - John W Scott
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. https://www.twitter.com/DrJohnScott
| | - Bryant W Oliphant
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. https://www.twitter.com/BonezNQuality
| | - Naveen F Sangji
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jennifer F Waljee
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. https://www.twitter.com/waljeejenn
| | - Mark R Hemmila
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
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Mercadante S. Houston, we have a problem of opioid crisis… and Rome? JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA, ANALGESIA AND CRITICAL CARE 2023; 3:36. [PMID: 37849004 PMCID: PMC10580571 DOI: 10.1186/s44158-023-00121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Mercadante
- Main Regional Center for Pain Relief and Supportive/Palliative Care, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146, Palermo, Italy.
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8
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Chua KP, Nguyen TD, Brummett CM, Bohnert AS, Gunaseelan V, Englesbe MJ, Waljee JF. Changes in Surgical Opioid Prescribing and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Implementation of an Insurer Opioid Prescribing Limit. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e233541. [PMID: 37831460 PMCID: PMC10576220 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Insurers are increasingly limiting the duration of opioid prescriptions for acute pain. Among patients undergoing surgery, it is unclear whether implementation of these limits is associated with changes in opioid prescribing and patient-reported outcomes, such as pain. Objective To assess changes in surgical opioid prescribing and patient-reported outcomes after implementation of an opioid prescribing limit by a large commercial insurer in Michigan. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a cross-sectional study with an interrupted time series analysis. Data analyses were conducted from October 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. The primary data source was the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, a statewide registry containing data on opioid prescribing and patient-reported outcomes from adults undergoing common general surgical procedures. This registry is linked to Michigan's prescription drug monitoring program database, allowing observation of opioid dispensing. The study included 6045 adults who were covered by the commercial insurer and underwent surgery from January 1, 2017, to October 31, 2019. Exposure Policy limiting opioid prescriptions to a 5-day supply in February 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Among all patients, segmented regression models were used to assess for level or slope changes during February 2018 in 3 patient-reported outcomes: pain in the week after surgery (assessed on a scale of 1-4: 1 = none, 2 = minimal, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe), satisfaction with surgical experience (scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest satisfaction), and amount of regret regarding undergoing surgery (scale of 1-5, with 1 being the highest level of regret). Among patients with a discharge opioid prescription and a dispensed opioid prescription (prescription filled within 3 days of discharge), additional outcomes included total morphine milligram equivalents in these prescriptions, a standardized measure of opioid volume. Results Among the 6045 patients included in the study, mean (SD) age was 48.7 (12.6) years and 3595 (59.5%) were female. Limit implementation was not associated with changes in patient-reported satisfaction or regret and was associated with only a slight level decrease in patient-reported pain score (-0.15 [95% CI, -0.26 to -0.03]). Among 4396 patients (72.7%) with a discharge and dispensed opioid prescription, limit implementation was associated with a -22.3 (95% CI, -32.8 to -11.9) and -26.1 (95% CI, -40.9 to -11.3) level decrease in monthly mean total morphine milligram equivalents of discharge and dispensed opioid prescriptions, respectively. These decreases corresponded approximately to 3 to 3.5 pills containing 5 mg of oxycodone. Conclusions This cross-sectional analysis of data from adults undergoing general surgical procedures found that implementation of an insurer's limit was associated with modest reductions in opioid prescribing but not with worsened patient-reported outcomes. Whether these findings generalize to other procedures warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kao-Ping Chua
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Thuy D. Nguyen
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Chad M. Brummett
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | - Amy S. Bohnert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | - Vidhya Gunaseelan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | - Michael J. Englesbe
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | - Jennifer F. Waljee
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
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Howard R, Brown CS, Lai YL, Gunaseelan V, Brummett CM, Englesbe M, Waljee J, Bicket MC. Postoperative Opioid Prescribing and New Persistent Opioid Use: The Risk of Excessive Prescribing. Ann Surg 2023; 277:e1225-e1231. [PMID: 35129474 PMCID: PMC10537242 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evaluate the association between postoperative opioid prescribing and new persistent opioid use. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Opioid-nave patients who develop new persistent opioid use after surgery are at increased risk of opioid-related morbidity and mortality. However, the extent to which postoperative opioid prescribing is associated with persistent postoperative opioid use is unclear. METHODS Retrospective study of opioid-naïve adults undergoing surgery in Michigan from 1/1/2017 to 10/31/2019. Postoperative opioid prescriptions were identified using a statewide clinical registry and prescription fills were identified using Michigan's prescription drug monitoring program. The primary outcome was new persistent opioid use, defined as filling at least 1 opioid prescription between post-discharge days 4 to 90 and filling at least 1 opioid prescription between post-discharge days 91 to 180. RESULTS A total of 37,654 patients underwent surgery with a mean age of 52.2 (16.7) years and 20,923 (55.6%) female patients. A total of 31,920 (84.8%) patients were prescribed opioids at discharge. Six hundred twenty-two (1.7%) patients developed new persistent opioid use after surgery. Being prescribed an opioid at discharge was not associated with new persistent opioid use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71-1.09)]. However, among patients prescribed an opioid, patients prescribed the second largest [12 (interquartile range (IQR) 3) pills] and largest [20 (IQR 7) pills] quartiles of prescription size had higher odds of new persistent opioid use compared to patients prescribed the smallest quartile [7 (IQR 1) pills] of prescription size [aOR 1.39 (95% CI 1.04-1.86) andaOR 1.97 (95% CI 1.442.70), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of opioid-naïve patients undergoing common surgical procedures, the risk of new persistent opioid use increased with the size of the prescription. This suggests that while opioid prescriptions in and of themselves may not place patients at risk of long-term opioid use, excessive prescribing does. Consequently, these findings support ongoing efforts to mitigate excessive opioid prescribing after surgery to reduce opioid-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Howard
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Craig S Brown
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yen-Ling Lai
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Vidhya Gunaseelan
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chad M Brummett
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Michael Englesbe
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jennifer Waljee
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mark C Bicket
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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10
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Joniak-Grant E, Blackburn NA, Dasgupta N, Nocera M, Dorris SW, Chelminski PR, Carey TS, Ranapurwala SI. "Cookbook medicine": Exploring the impact of opioid prescribing limits legislation on clinical practice and patient experiences. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2023; 3:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100273. [PMID: 38798786 PMCID: PMC11120475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Opioid dependence and overdose are serious public health concerns. States have responded by enacting legislation regulating opioid-prescribing practices. Through in-depth interviews with clinicians, state officials, and organizational stakeholders, this paper examines opioid prescribing limits legislation (PLL) in North Carolina and how it impacts clinical practice. Since the advent of PLL, clinicians report being more mindful when prescribing opioids and as expected, writing for shorter durations for both acute and postoperative pain. But clinicians also report prescribing opioids less frequently for acute pain, refusing to write second opioid prescriptions, foisting responsibility for patient pain care onto other clinicians, and no longer writing opioid prescriptions for chronic pain patients. They directly credit PLL for these changes, including institutional policies enacted in response to PLL, and, to a lesser degree, notions of "do no harm." However, we argue that misapplication of and ambiguities in PLL along with defensive medicine practices whereby clinicians and their institutions center their legal interests over patient care, amplify these restrictive changes in clinical practice. Clinicians' narratives reveal downstream consequences for patients including undertreated pain, being viewed as drug-seeking when questioning opioid-prescribing decisions, and having to overuse the medical system to achieve pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Joniak-Grant
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
| | - Natalie A. Blackburn
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7440, USA
| | - Nabarun Dasgupta
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
- Office of Research, Innovations, and Global Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7415, USA
| | - Maryalice Nocera
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
| | - Samantha Wooten Dorris
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
| | - Paul R. Chelminski
- Departments of Allied Health Sciences and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Timothy S. Carey
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Cecil G. Sheps Health Center for Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Shabbar I. Ranapurwala
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, 725 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7505, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
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11
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Mian BM, Singh Z, Carnes K, Lorenz L, Feustel P, Kaufman RP, Avulova S, Bernstein A, Cangero T, Fisher HAG. Implementation and Assessment of No Opioid Prescription Strategy at Discharge After Major Urologic Cancer Surgery. JAMA Surg 2023; 158:378-385. [PMID: 36753170 PMCID: PMC9909575 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2022.7652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Importance Postoperative opioid prescriptions are associated with delayed recovery, perioperative complications, opioid use disorder, and diversion of overprescribed opioids, which places the community at risk of opioid misuse or addiction. Objective To assess a protocol for eliminating postdischarge opioid prescriptions after major urologic cancer surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of the no opioid prescriptions at discharge after surgery (NOPIOIDS) protocol was conducted between May 2017 and June 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Patients undergoing open or minimally invasive radical cystectomy, radical or partial nephrectomy, and radical prostatectomy were sorted into the control group (usual opioids), the lead-in group (reduced opioids), and the NOPIOIDS group (no opioid prescriptions). Interventions The NOPIOIDS group received a preadmission educational handout, postdischarge instructions for using nonopioid analgesics, and no routine opioid prescriptions. The lead-in group received a postdischarge instruction sheet and reduced opioid prescriptions at prescribers' discretion. The control group received opioid prescriptions at prescribers' discretion. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome measures included rate and dose of opioid prescriptions at discharge and for 30 days postdischarge. Additional outcome measures included patient-reported pain and satisfaction level, unplanned health care utilization, and postoperative complications. Results Of 647 opioid-naive patients (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [10.0] years; 478 [73.9%] male; 586 [90.6%] White), the rate of opioid prescriptions at discharge for the control, the lead-in, and the NOPIOIDS groups was 80.9% (157 of 194), 57.9% (55 of 95), and 2.2% (8 of 358) (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001), and the overall median (IQR) tablets prescribed was 14 (10-20), 4 (0-5.3), and 0 (0-0) per patient in the control, lead-in, and NOPIOIDS groups, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001). In the NOPIOIDS group, median and mean opioid dose was 0 tablets for all procedure types, with the exception of kidney procedures (mean [SD], 0.5 [1.7] tablets). Patient-reported pain surveys were received from 358 patients (72.6%) in the NOPIOIDS group, demonstrating low pain scores (mean [SD], 2.5 [0.86]) and high satisfaction scores (mean [SD], 86.6 [3.8]). There was no increase in postoperative complications in the group with no opioid prescriptions. Conclusions and Relevance This perioperative protocol, with emphasis on nonopioid alternatives and patient instructions, may be safe and effective in nearly eliminating the need for opioid prescriptions after major abdominopelvic cancer surgery without adversely affecting pain control, complications, or recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badar M. Mian
- Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Zorawar Singh
- Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Kevin Carnes
- Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Leanne Lorenz
- Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | - Paul Feustel
- Department of Urology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
| | | | | | | | - Theodore Cangero
- Department of Information Services, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York
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12
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Nair AA, Placencia JL, Farber HJ, Aparasu RR, Johnson M, Chen H. Association Between Initial Opioid Prescription Duration and 30-Day Risk of Receiving Repeat Opioid Among Children. Acad Pediatr 2023; 23:416-424. [PMID: 35863737 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our study evaluated the association between initial opioid prescription duration and receipt of a repeat opioid prescription in children. METHODS Eligible individuals were children between 1 and 17 years of age who enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care plan and filled an incident opioid prescription during 2013 to 2018. An incident prescription was defined as receipt of an opioid analgesic without a prior use for 12 months. A repeat opioid prescription was defined as receipt of a subsequent opioid prescription within 30 days since the end of incident opioid prescription. A hierarchical multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to test the association between incident opioid prescription duration and the likelihood of receiving a repeat prescription. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 17,086 children receiving an incident opioid prescription in which 6272 (36.7%) received 1 to 3 days' supply, 8442 (49.4%) received 4 to 7 days' supply, 1434 (8.4%) received 8 to 10 days' supply, and 938 (5.5%) received >10 days' supply. Of these incident opioid recipients, 1780 (10.4%) filled a repeat opioid prescription. The multilevel model results indicated that, children receiving 4 to 7 days' supply (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.98 {0.9-1.1}), 8 to 10 days' supply (aOR: 1.03 [0.8-1.3]), and >10 days' supply (aOR: 0.85 [0.7-1.1]) had comparable likelihoods of receiving a repeat prescription as those receiving 1 to 3 days' supply. DISCUSSION Nearly 10% of children who filled an opioid prescription for acute pain received a repeat prescription. Initial prescription duration was not associated with the risk of receiving a repeat prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek A Nair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston (AA Nair, RJ Aparasu, M Johnson, and H Chen), Houston, Tex
| | | | - Harold J Farber
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pulmonology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital (HJ Farber), Houston, Tex; Medical Affairs, Texas Children's Health Plan (HJ Farber), Houston, Tex
| | - Rajender R Aparasu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston (AA Nair, RJ Aparasu, M Johnson, and H Chen), Houston, Tex
| | - Michael Johnson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston (AA Nair, RJ Aparasu, M Johnson, and H Chen), Houston, Tex
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston (AA Nair, RJ Aparasu, M Johnson, and H Chen), Houston, Tex.
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13
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Hincapie-Castillo JM, Goodin A. Using Joinpoint regression for drug utilization research: Tutorial and case study of prescription opioid use in the United States. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2023; 32:509-516. [PMID: 36813735 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Drug utilization researchers are often interested in evaluating prescribing and medication use patterns and trends over a specified period of time. Joinpoint regression is a useful methodology to identify any deviations in secular trends without a preconceived notion of where these break points might occur. This article provides a tutorial on the use of joinpoint regression, within Joinpoint software, for the analysis of drug utilization data. METHODS The statistical considerations for whether a joinpoint regression analytical technique is a suitable approach are discussed. Then, we offer a tutorial as an introduction on conducting joinpoint regression (within Joinpoint software) through a step-by-step application, which is a case study developed using opioid prescribing data from the United States. Data were obtained from public files available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2006 to 2018. The tutorial provides parameters and sample data needed to replicate the case study and it concludes with general considerations for the reporting of results using joinpoint regression in drug utilization research. RESULTS The case study evaluated the trend of opioid prescribing in the United States from 2006 to 2018, where time points of significant variation (one in 2012 and another in 2016) are detected and interpreted. CONCLUSIONS Joinpoint regression is a helpful methodology for drug utilization for the purposes of conducting descriptive analyses. This tool also assists with corroborating assumptions and identifying parameters for fitting other models such as interrupted time series. The technique and accompanying software are user-friendly; however, researchers interested in using joinpoint regression should exercise caution and follow best practices for correct measurement of drug utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Hincapie-Castillo
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amie Goodin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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14
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Chua KP, Nguyen TD, Waljee JF, Nalliah RP, Brummett CM. Association Between State Opioid Prescribing Limits and Duration of Opioid Prescriptions From Dentists. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2250409. [PMID: 36630136 PMCID: PMC9857382 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In part to prevent the harms associated with dental opioid prescriptions, most states have enacted policies limiting the duration of opioid prescriptions for acute pain. Whether these limits are associated with changes in the duration of opioid prescriptions written by dentists is unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between state opioid prescribing limits and the duration of opioid prescriptions from dentists. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This difference-in-differences cross-sectional study used data from the IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Database, an all-payer database reporting prescription dispensing from 92% of retail pharmacies in the US. The sample included opioid prescriptions from dentists dispensed to children aged 0 to 17 years and adults 18 years or older from January 2014 through February 2020. Treatment states were those that implemented limits between January 2016 and December 2018. Control states were those that did not implement limits during the study period. Data on opioid prescribing limits were derived from the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System. Data were analyzed from January 1 to September 30, 2022. EXPOSURES State opioid prescribing limits. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The outcome was opioid prescription duration, as measured by days' supply. The association between limits and duration was evaluated using a linear model with a 2-way fixed-effects specification. Covariates included patient characteristics, prescription characteristics, and indicators of implementation of prescription drug monitoring program use mandates. Separate analyses of data from adults and children were conducted owing to differences in the number of treatment states and restrictiveness of limits by age. RESULTS The adult analysis included 56 607 314 opioid prescriptions for 34 364 775 patients (18 448 788 females [53.7%]; mean [SD] age at the earliest fill, 44.0 [17.4] years) in 22 treatment states and 12 control states. The child analysis included 3 720 837 opioid prescriptions for 3 165 880 patients (1 740 449 females [55.0%]; mean [SD] age at the earliest fill, 14.4 [3.5] years) in 23 treatment states and 12 control states. In both analyses, the median (25th-75th percentile) duration of opioid prescriptions was 3.0 (2-5) days. Implementation of limits, most of which allowed up to a 7-day supply of opioids, was not associated with changes in the duration of opioid prescriptions for adults (mean days' supply: -0.06 days; 95% CI, -0.11 to <0.001 days) or children (mean days' supply: -0.07 days; 95% CI, -0.15 to 0.02 days). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study of national pharmacy dispensing data, opioid prescribing limits were not associated with changes in the duration of opioid prescriptions from dentists. Future research should investigate the potential role of alternative interventions in reducing opioid prescribing by dentists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kao-Ping Chua
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Thuy D. Nguyen
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor
| | - Jennifer F. Waljee
- Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Chad M. Brummett
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
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15
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Dyson MP, Dong K, Sevcik W, Graham SZ, Saba S, Hartling L, Ali S. Quantifying unused opioids following emergency and ambulatory care: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2022; 3:e12822. [PMID: 36203538 PMCID: PMC9523453 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To quantify unused opioids among adult and pediatric patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) or ambulatory care settings with a prescription for acute pain. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and the gray literature from inception to April 29, 2021. We included observational studies in which any patient with an acutely painful condition received a prescription for an opioid on discharge from an outpatient care setting, and unused opioids were quantified. Two reviewers screened records for eligibility, extracted data, and conducted the quality assessment. Where possible, we pooled data and otherwise described the results of studies narratively. Total unused prescriptions were synthesized using a weighted average. Random effects models were used, and heterogeneity was measured by the I2 statistic. Our primary outcome was the quantity of unused opioid medication available after receiving a prescription for acute pain. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with unused opioids following a prescription, the proportion of patients using no opioids, morphine equivalents of unused opioids, and factors associated with leftover opioids. Results In this systematic review and meta‐analysis of 9 studies in emergency and ambulatory care settings, 59.6% of prescribed opioids remained unused; pediatric patients had 69.3% of their prescriptions remaining, compared to 54.6% among adult patients. The highest proportion of unused opioids was found following dental extractions (82.6%). Conclusions and Relevance More than 50% of opioids remain unused following prescriptions for acute pain. Responsible prescribing must be accompanied by education on safer use, storage, and disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele P. Dyson
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Inner City Health and Wellness Program Royal Alexandra Hospital Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - William Sevcik
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Samir Z. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Sabrina Saba
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Lisa Hartling
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Samina Ali
- Department of Pediatrics University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
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16
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Schmid I, Stuart EA, McCourt AD, Tormohlen KN, Stone EM, Davis CS, Bicket MC, McGinty EE. Effects of state opioid prescribing cap laws on opioid prescribing after surgery. Health Serv Res 2022; 57:1154-1164. [PMID: 35801988 PMCID: PMC9441291 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of state opioid prescribing cap laws on opioid prescribing after surgery. DATA SOURCES OptumLabs Data Warehouse administrative claims data covering all 50 states from July 2012 through June 2019. STUDY DESIGN We included individuals from 20 states that had implemented prescribing cap laws without exemptions for postsurgical pain by June 2019 and individuals from 16 control states plus the District of Columbia. We used a difference-in-differences approach accounting for differential timing in law implementation across states to estimate the effects of state prescribing cap laws on postsurgical prescribing of opioids. Outcome measures included filling an opioid prescription within 30 days after surgery; filling opioid prescriptions of specific doses or durations; and the number, days' supply, daily dose, and pill quantity of opioid prescriptions. To assess the validity of the parallel counterfactual trends assumption, we examined differences in outcome trends between law-implementing and control states in the years preceding law implementation using an equivalence testing framework. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We included the first surgery in the study period for opioid-naïve individuals undergoing one of eight common surgical procedures. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS State prescribing cap laws were associated with 0.109 lower days' supply of postsurgical opioids on the log scale (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.139, -0.080) but were not associated with the number (Average treatment effect on the treated [ATT]: -0.011; 95% CI: -0.043, 0.021) or daily dose of postsurgical opioid prescriptions (ATT: -0.013; 95% CI: -0.030, 0.005). The negative association observed between prescribing cap laws and the probability of filling a postsurgical opioid prescription (ATT: -0.041; 95% CI: -0.054, -0.028) was likely spurious, given differences between law-implementing and control states in the pre-law period. CONCLUSIONS Prescribing cap laws appear to have minimal effects on postsurgical opioid prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Schmid
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Stuart
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of BiostatisticsJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Alexander D. McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Kayla N. Tormohlen
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Elizabeth M. Stone
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Mark C. Bicket
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementUniversity of Michigan School of Public HealthAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Emma E. McGinty
- Department of Mental HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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17
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Association Between Statewide Medicaid Opioid Policy and Postoperative Opioid Prescribing among Surgeons at a Large Safety-Net Hospital. J Am Coll Surg 2022; 235:519-528. [PMID: 35972173 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restrictive state and payer policies may be effective in reducing opioid prescribing by surgeons, but their impact has not been well studied. In 2017, Washington Medicaid implemented an opiod prescribing limit of 42 pills, prompting a large regional safety-net hospital to implement a decision support intervention in response. We aimed to evaluate the effects on surgeons' prescribing. STUDY DESIGN We retrospectively studied postoperative opioid prescribing (quantity of pills prescribed at discharge) to opioid-naïve surgical patients at a regional safety-net hospital from 2016 to 2020. We investigated associations between the policy and opioid prescribing by using interrupted time series analysis, adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS A total of 12,799 surgical encounters involving opioid-naïve patients (59% male, mean age 52) were analyzed. Opioids were prescribed for 75%. From 2016 to 2020, the mean prescribed opioid quantity decreased from 36 pills to 17 pills. In interrupted time series analysis, the Medicaid policy implementation was associated with an immediate change of -8.4 pills (95% CI -12 to -4.7; p < 0.001) per prescription and a subsequent rate of decrease similar to that prepolicy. In a comparison of changes between patients insured through Medicaid vs Medicare, Medicaid patients had an immediate change of -9.8 pills (95% CI -19 to -0.76; p = 0.03) after policy implementation and continued decreases similar to those prepolicy. No immediate or subsequent policy-related changes were observed among Medicare patients. CONCLUSION In a large regional safety-net institution, postoperative opioid prescriptions decreased in size over time, with immediate changes associated with a state Medicaid policy and corresponding decision support intervention. These findings pose implications for surgeons, hospital leaders, and payers seeking to address opioid use via judicious prescribing.
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18
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Cogan JC, Accordino MK, Beauchemin MP, Spivack JH, Ulene SR, Elkin EB, Melamed A, Taback B, Wright JD, Hershman DL. Efficacy of a password-protected, pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity to enhance disposal of unused opioids after cancer surgery. Cancer 2022; 128:3392-3399. [PMID: 35819926 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid misuse is a public health crisis, and unused postoperative opioids are an important source. Although 70% of pills prescribed go unused, only 9% are discarded. This study evaluated whether an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity could enhance disposal of unused opioids after cancer surgery. METHODS A prospective pilot study was conducted among adult patients who underwent major cancer-related surgery. Patients received opioid prescriptions in a mechanical device (Addinex) linked to a smartphone application (app). The app provided passwords on a prescriber-defined schedule. Patients could enter a password into the device and receive a pill if the prescribed time had elapsed. Patients were instructed to return the device and any unused pills in a disposal mailer. The primary end point was feasibility of device return, defined as ≥50% of patients returning the device within 6 weeks of surgery. Also explored was total pill use and return as well as patient satisfaction. RESULTS Among 30 patients enrolled, the majority (n = 24, 80%) returned the device, and 17 (57%) returned it within 6 weeks of surgery. In total, 567 opioid pills were prescribed and 170 (30%) were used. Of 397 excess pills, 332 (84% of unused pills, 59% of all pills prescribed) were disposed of by mail. Among 19 patients who obtained opioids from the device, most (n = 14, 74%) felt the benefits of the device justified the added steps involved. CONCLUSIONS Use of an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity is a feasible strategy to enhance disposal of unused postoperative opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Cogan
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa K Accordino
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa P Beauchemin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, USA
| | - John H Spivack
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sophie R Ulene
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elena B Elkin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Melamed
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bret Taback
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jason D Wright
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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19
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DiPeri TP, Newhook TE, Day RW, Chiang YJ, Dewhurst WL, Arvide EM, Bruno ML, Scally CP, Roland CL, Katz MH, Vauthey JN, Chang GJ, Badgwell BD, Perrier ND, Grubbs EG, Lee JE, Tzeng CWD. A prospective feasibility study evaluating the 5x-multiplier to standardize discharge prescriptions in cancer surgery patients. Surg Open Sci 2022; 9:51-57. [PMID: 35663797 PMCID: PMC9161107 DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We designed a prospective feasibility study to assess the 5x-multiplier (5x) calculation (eg, 3 pills in last 24 hours × 5 = 15) to standardize discharge opioid prescriptions compared to usual care. Methods Faculty-based surgical teams volunteered for either 5x or usual care arms. Patients undergoing inpatient (≥ 48 hours) surgery and discharged by surgical teams were included. The primary end point was discharge oral morphine equivalents. Secondary end points were opioid-free discharges and 30-day refill rates. Results Median last 24-hour oral morphine equivalents was similar between arms (7.5 mg 5x vs 10 mg usual care, P = .830). Median discharge oral morphine equivalents were less in the 5x arm (50 mg 5x vs 75 mg usual care, P < .001). Opioid-free discharges included 33.5% 5x vs 18.0% usual care arm patients (P < .001). Thirty-day refill rates were similar (15.3% 5x vs 16.5% usual care, P = .742). Conclusion The 5x-multiplier was associated with reduced opioid prescriptions without increased refills and can be feasibly implemented across a diverse surgical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P. DiPeri
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Timothy E. Newhook
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ryan W. Day
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Yi-Ju Chiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Whitney L. Dewhurst
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Elsa M. Arvide
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Morgan L. Bruno
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Christopher P. Scally
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Christina L. Roland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Matthew H.G. Katz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - George J. Chang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Brian D. Badgwell
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Nancy D. Perrier
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Elizabeth G. Grubbs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jeffrey E. Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ching-Wei D. Tzeng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Agniel D, Brat GA, Marwaha JS, Fox K, Knecht D, Paz HL, Bicket MC, Yorkgitis B, Palmer N, Kohane I. Association of Postsurgical Opioid Refills for Patients With Risk of Opioid Misuse and Chronic Opioid Use Among Family Members. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2221316. [PMID: 35838671 PMCID: PMC9287751 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.21316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The US health care system is experiencing a sharp increase in opioid-related adverse events and spending, and opioid overprescription may be a key factor in this crisis. Ambient opioid exposure within households is one of the known major dangers of overprescription. OBJECTIVE To quantify the association between the postsurgical initiation of prescription opioid use in opioid-naive patients and the subsequent prescription opioid misuse and chronic opioid use among opioid-naive family members. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study was conducted using administrative data from the database of a US commercial insurance provider with more than 35 million covered individuals. Participants included pairs of patients who underwent surgery from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2016, and their family members within the same household. Data were analyzed from January 1 to November 30, 2018. EXPOSURES Duration of opioid exposure and refills of opioid prescriptions received by patients after surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Risk of opioid misuse and chronic opioid use in family members were calculated using inverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS The final cohort included 843 531 pairs of patients and family members. Most pairs included female patients (445 456 [52.8%]) and male family members (442 992 [52.5%]), and a plurality of pairs included patients in the 45 to 54 years age group (249 369 [29.6%]) and family members in the 15 to 24 years age group (313 707 [37.2%]). A total of 3894 opioid misuse events (0.5%) and 7485 chronic opioid use events (0.9%) occurred in family members. In adjusted models, each additional opioid prescription refill for the patient was associated with a 19.2% (95% CI, 14.5%-24.0%) increase in hazard of opioid misuse in family members. The risk of opioid misuse appeared to increase only in households in which the patient obtained refills. Family members in households with any refill had a 32.9% (95% CI, 22.7%-43.8%) increased adjusted hazard of opioid misuse. When patients became chronic opioid users, the hazard ratio for opioid misuse among family members was 2.52 (95% CI, 1.68-3.80), and similar patterns were found for chronic opioid use. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study found that opioid exposure was a household risk. Family members of a patient who received opioid prescription refills after surgery had an increased risk of opioid misuse and chronic opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Agniel
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gabriel A. Brat
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jayson S. Marwaha
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kathe Fox
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Aetna Inc, Hartford, Connecticut
| | | | | | - Mark C. Bicket
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Nathan Palmer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Isaac Kohane
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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21
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Callison K, Karletsos D, Walker B. Opioid prescribing restrictions and opioid use among the Louisiana Medicaid population. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 107:103770. [PMID: 35780564 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most states in the U.S. have enacted prescription opioid quantity limits to curb long-term opioid dependency. While several studies of these policies find reductions in subsequent prescriptions, others find mixed results in reducing overall opioid prescriptions and prescription length. Our objective was to examine three opioid restriction policies implemented in Louisiana Medicaid: (1) a 15-day quantity limit for opioid-naïve acute pain patients, (2) a subsequent further reduction to a 7-day quantity limit and a Morphine Milligram Equivalent Dosing (MME) limit of 120mg per day, and (3) a final reduction in daily MMEs to 90mg per day. METHODS Using interrupted time series (ITS) models with Medicaid pharmacy claims data, we estimated changes in trends of opioid prescription fills associated with opioid restriction policies in Louisiana Medicaid. Outcomes of interest included average opioid prescription length, average MMEs per day, and the likelihood that an opioid-naïve beneficiary who received their first opioid prescription filled a second prescription within 30 or 60 days of their initial fill. RESULTS 15-day and 7-day opioid prescription quantity limits were associated with a 0.720 and a 0.401 day reduction in average opioid prescription lengths. 7-day limits were associated with a 2.7 and a 3.0 percentage point reduction in the likelihood of a second opioid prescription fill within 30 or 60 days of the initial fill. The 120mg per day MME limit was associated with a 0.80 MMEs per day reduction in average daily MMEs. Further restricting daily MMEs to 90mg per day had no statistically significant association with average daily MMEs. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that efforts to limit opioid exposure through the implementation of prescription quantity limits and MME restrictions in Louisiana's Medicaid program were successful and are likely to be associated with a reduction in future opioid dependency among the state's Medicaid population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Callison
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States.
| | - Dimitris Karletsos
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States; Parexel International, Newton, MA, United States
| | - Brigham Walker
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States; ConcertAI, Cambridge, MA, United States
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22
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McGinty EE, Bicket MC, Seewald NJ, Stuart EA, Alexander GC, Barry CL, McCourt AD, Rutkow L. Effects of State Opioid Prescribing Laws on Use of Opioid and Other Pain Treatments Among Commercially Insured U.S. Adults. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:617-627. [PMID: 35286141 PMCID: PMC9277518 DOI: 10.7326/m21-4363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is concern that state laws to curb opioid prescribing may adversely affect patients with chronic noncancer pain, but the laws' effects are unclear because of challenges in disentangling multiple laws implemented around the same time. OBJECTIVE To study the association between state opioid prescribing cap laws, pill mill laws, and mandatory prescription drug monitoring program query or enrollment laws and trends in opioid and guideline-concordant nonopioid pain treatment among commercially insured adults, including a subgroup with chronic noncancer pain conditions. DESIGN Thirteen treatment states that implemented a single law of interest in a 4-year period and unique groups of control states for each treatment state were identified. Augmented synthetic control analyses were used to estimate the association between each state law and outcomes. SETTING United States, 2008 to 2019. PATIENTS 7 694 514 commercially insured adults aged 18 years or older, including 1 976 355 diagnosed with arthritis, low back pain, headache, fibromyalgia, and/or neuropathic pain. MEASUREMENTS Proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription or guideline-concordant nonopioid pain treatment per month, and mean days' supply and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) of prescribed opioids per day, per patient, per month. RESULTS Laws were associated with small-in-magnitude and non-statistically significant changes in outcomes, although CIs around some estimates were wide. For adults overall and those with chronic noncancer pain, the 13 state laws were each associated with a change of less than 1 percentage point in the proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription and a change of less than 2 percentage points in the proportion receiving any guideline-concordant nonopioid treatment, per month. The laws were associated with a change of less than 1 in days' supply of opioid prescriptions and a change of less than 4 in average monthly MME per day per patient prescribed opioids. LIMITATIONS Results may not be generalizable to non-commercially insured populations and were imprecise for some estimates. Use of claims data precluded assessment of the clinical appropriateness of pain treatments. CONCLUSION This study did not identify changes in opioid prescribing or nonopioid pain treatment attributable to state laws. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E McGinty
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.E.M., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R.)
| | - Mark C Bicket
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.C.B.)
| | - Nicholas J Seewald
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.E.M., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R.)
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.A.S.)
| | - G Caleb Alexander
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (G.C.A.)
| | - Colleen L Barry
- Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (C.L.B.)
| | - Alexander D McCourt
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.E.M., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R.)
| | - Lainie Rutkow
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (E.E.M., N.J.S., A.D.M., L.R.)
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23
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Kosakowski S, Benintendi A, Lagisetty P, Larochelle MR, Bohnert ASB, Bazzi AR. Patient Perspectives on Improving Patient-Provider Relationships and Provider Communication During Opioid Tapering. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:1722-1728. [PMID: 34993861 PMCID: PMC9130417 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07210-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to reduce opioid overdose fatalities have resulted in tapering (i.e., reducing or discontinuing) opioid prescriptions despite a limited understanding of patients' experiences. OBJECTIVE To explore patients' perspectives on opioid taper experiences to ultimately improve taper processes and outcomes. DESIGN Qualitative study. PARTICIPANTS Patients on long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain who had undergone a reduction of opioid daily prescribed dosage of ≥50% in the past 2 years in two distinct medical systems and regions. APPROACH From 2019 to 2020, we conducted semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed, systematically coded, and analyzed to summarize the content and identify key themes regarding taper experiences overall and with particular attention to patient-provider relationships and provider communication during tapers. KEY RESULTS Participants (n=41) had lived with chronic pain for an average of 17.4 years (range, 3-36 years) and described generally adverse experiences with opioid tapers, the initiation of which was not always adequately justified or explained to them. Consequences of tapers ranged from minor to substantial and included withdrawal, mobility issues, emotional distress, exacerbated mental health symptoms, and feelings of social stigmatization for which adequate supports were typically unavailable. Narratives highlighted the consequential role of patient-provider relationships throughout taper experiences, with most participants describing significant interpersonal challenges including poor provider communication and limited patient engagement in decision making. A few participants identified qualities of providers, relationships, and communication that fostered more positive taper experiences and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS From patients' perspectives, opioid tapers can produce significant physical, emotional, and social consequences, sometimes reducing trust and engagement in healthcare. Patient-provider relationships and communication influence patients' perceptions of the quality and outcomes of opioid tapers. To improve patients' experiences of opioid tapers, tapering plans should be based on individualized risk-benefit assessments and involve patient-centered approaches and improved provider communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kosakowski
- Clinical Addiction Research and Evaluation Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allyn Benintendi
- Clinical Addiction Research and Evaluation Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pooja Lagisetty
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marc R Larochelle
- Clinical Addiction Research and Evaluation Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy S B Bohnert
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Angela R Bazzi
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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24
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Robinson KA, Marwaha JS, Kennedy CJ, Beaulieu-Jones BR, Fleishman A, Yu JK, Nathanson LA, Brat GA. Evaluation of U.S. state opioid prescribing restrictions using patient opioid consumption patterns from a single, urban, academic institution. Subst Abus 2022; 43:932-936. [DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2022.2056934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kortney A. Robinson
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jayson S. Marwaha
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris J. Kennedy
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brendin R. Beaulieu-Jones
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron Fleishman
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justin K. Yu
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
- Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Gabriel A. Brat
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Nielsen A, Dusek J, Taylor-Swanson L, Tick H. Acupuncture therapy as an Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategy for Comprehensive Acute Pain Care: the Academic Consortium Pain Task Force White Paper Update. PAIN MEDICINE 2022; 23:1582-1612. [PMID: 35380733 PMCID: PMC9434305 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background A crisis in pain management persists, as does the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, addiction, and diversion. Pain medicine is meeting these challenges by returning to its origins: the Bonica model of multidisciplinary pain care. The 2018 Academic Consortium White Paper detailed the historical context and magnitude of the pain crisis and the evidence base for nonpharmacologic strategies. More than 50% of chronic opioid use begins in the acute pain care setting. Acupuncture may be able to reduce this risk. Objective This article updates the evidence base for acupuncture therapy for acute pain with a review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on postsurgical/perioperative pain with opioid sparing and acute nonsurgical/trauma pain, including acute pain in the emergency department. Methods To update reviews cited in the 2018 White Paper, electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for “acupuncture” and “acupuncture therapy” and “acute pain,” “surgery,” “peri-operative,” “trauma,” “emergency department,” “urgent care,” “review(s) ,” “systematic review,” “meta-analysis,” with additional manual review of titles, links, and reference lists. Results There are 22 systematic reviews, 17 with meta-analyses of acupuncture in acute pain settings, and a review for acute pain in the intensive care unit. There are additional studies of acupuncture in acute pain settings. Conclusion The majority of reviews found acupuncture therapy to be an efficacious strategy for acute pain, with potential to avoid or reduce opioid reliance. Future multicenter trials are needed to clarify the dosage and generalizability of acupuncture for acute pain in the emergency department. With an extremely low risk profile, acupuncture therapy is an important strategy in comprehensive acute pain care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Nielsen
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Jeffrey Dusek
- University Hospitals, Connor Whole Health, Cleveland Medical Center; Cleveland, Ohio.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | | | - Heather Tick
- Department of Family Medicine, and Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Strategies aimed at preventing long-term opioid use in trauma and orthopaedic surgery: a scoping review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:238. [PMID: 35277150 PMCID: PMC8917706 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Long-term opioid use, which may have significant individual and societal impacts, has been documented in up to 20% of patients after trauma or orthopaedic surgery. The objectives of this scoping review were to systematically map the research on strategies aiming to prevent chronic opioid use in these populations and to identify knowledge gaps in this area.
Methods
This scoping review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. We searched seven databases and websites of relevant organizations. Selected studies and guidelines were published between January 2008 and September 2021. Preventive strategies were categorized as: system-based, pharmacological, educational, multimodal, and others. We summarized findings using measures of central tendency and frequency along with p-values. We also reported the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations presented in clinical guidelines.
Results
A total of 391 studies met the inclusion criteria after initial screening from which 66 studies and 20 guidelines were selected. Studies mainly focused on orthopaedic surgery (62,1%), trauma (30.3%) and spine surgery (7.6%). Among system-based strategies, hospital-based individualized opioid tapering protocols, and regulation initiatives limiting the prescription of opioids were associated with statistically significant decreases in morphine equivalent doses (MEDs) at 1 to 3 months following trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Among pharmacological strategies, only the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta blockers led to a significant reduction in MEDs up to 12 months after orthopaedic surgery. Most studies on educational strategies, multimodal strategies and psychological strategies were associated with significant reductions in MEDs beyond 1 month. The majority of recommendations from clinical practice guidelines were of low level of evidence.
Conclusions
This scoping review advances knowledge on existing strategies to prevent long-term opioid use in trauma and orthopaedic surgery patients. We observed that system-based, educational, multimodal and psychological strategies are the most promising. Future research should focus on determining which strategies should be implemented particularly in trauma patients at high risk for long-term use, testing those that can promote a judicious prescription of opioids while preventing an illicit use, and evaluating their effects on relevant patient-reported and social outcomes.
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27
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Abstract
This review summarizes current evidence related to perioperative opioid prescription fulfillment and use and discusses the role of personalized anesthesia care in mitigating opioid-related harms without compromising analgesia.
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28
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Marwaha JS, Kennedy CJ, Brat GA. Surgical Residency Programs Should Leverage Recent Advances in National Policy, Real-World Data, and Public Opinion to Improve Post-Surgery Opioid Prescribing. J Grad Med Educ 2022; 14:25-29. [PMID: 35222816 PMCID: PMC8848891 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-21-00617.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jayson S. Marwaha
- Jayson S. Marwaha, MD, is a General Surgery Resident and Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomedical Informatics, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
| | - Chris J. Kennedy
- Chris J. Kennedy, PhD, is Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomedical Informatics, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
| | - Gabriel A. Brat
- Gabriel A. Brat, MD, MPH, is Assistant Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Instructor in Biomedical Informatics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
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29
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Cho HE, Billig JI, Byrnes ME, Haase SC, Waljee JF, Chung KC. Trust and Distrust in Opioid Decision-Making: A Qualitative Assessment of Patient-Doctor Relationship. J Hand Surg Am 2022; 47:151-159.e1. [PMID: 34916114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Surgeons often prescribe opioid analgesics for pain management after surgery. However, we understand little about how patients perceive opioid prescribing and make decisions to use opioids for postoperative pain management. In this study, we aimed to gain an understanding of patients' decision-making process on postoperative opioid use. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 adult patients undergoing elective surgery at our institution. The interviews were content-coded for thematic analysis. We used trust in the medical setting as a conceptual framework to interpret and find the inherent theory in the data. RESULTS We found that participants based their opioid decisions on their trust or distrust toward various elements of their postoperative pain management. Participants believed that the surgeons "know," thereby, reinforcing their trust in surgeons' postoperative opioid prescribing to be in the participants' best interest. Moreover, the positive reputation of the institution strengthened the participants' trust. However, participants conveyed nuanced trust because of their distrust toward the opioid medications themselves, which were viewed as "suspicious," and the pharmaceutical companies, that were "despised." Despite this distrust, participants had confidence in their inherent ability to protect themselves from opioid use disorders. CONCLUSIONS Understanding how patients perceive and form decisions on postoperative opioid use based on their trust and distrust toward various factors involved in their care highlights the importance of the patient-doctor relationship and building trust to effectively address postoperative pain and reduce opioid-related harms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Through a strengthened therapeutic alliance between patients and surgeons, we can improve our strategies to overcome the ongoing opioid epidemic through patient-centered approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoyune E Cho
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Orange, CA
| | - Jessica I Billig
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI; VA/National Clinician Scholars Program, VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mary E Byrnes
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Jennifer F Waljee
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kevin C Chung
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI.
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30
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Macintyre PE, Quinlan J, Levy N, Lobo DN. Current Issues in the Use of Opioids for the Management of Postoperative Pain: A Review. JAMA Surg 2022; 157:158-166. [PMID: 34878527 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.6210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Importance Uncontrolled and indiscriminate prescribing of opioids has led to an opioid crisis that started in North America and spread throughout high-income countries. The aim of this narrative review was to explore some of the current issues surrounding the use of opioids in the perioperative period, focusing on drivers that led to escalation of use, patient harms, the move away from using self-reported pain scores alone to assess adequacy of analgesia, concerns about the routine use of controlled-release opioids for the management of acute pain, opioid-free anesthesia and analgesia, and prescription of opioids on discharge from hospital. Observations The origins of the opioid crisis are multifactorial and may include good intentions to keep patients pain free in the postoperative period. Assessment of patient function may be better than unidimensional numerical pain scores to help guide postoperative analgesia. Immediate-release opioids can be titrated more easily to match analgesic requirements. There is currently no good evidence to show that opioid-free anesthesia and analgesia affects opioid prescribing practices or the risk of persistent postoperative opioid use. Attention should be paid to discharge opioid prescribing as repeat and refill prescriptions are risk-factors for persistent postoperative opioid use. Opioid stewardship is paramount, and many governments are passing legislation, while statutory bodies and professional societies are providing advice and guidance to help mitigate the harm caused by opioids. Conclusions and Relevance Opioids remain a crucial part of many patients' journey from surgery to full recovery. The last few decades have shown that unfettered opioid use puts patients and societies at risk, so caution is needed to mitigate those dangers. Opioid stewardship provides a multilayered structure to allow continued safe use of opioids as part of broad pain management strategies for those patients who benefit from them most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela E Macintyre
- Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital and Discipline of Acute Care Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jane Quinlan
- Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Levy
- Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom
| | - Dileep N Lobo
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Young JC, Dasgupta N, Chidgey BA, Stürmer T, Pate V, Hudgens M, Funk MJ. Impacts of Initial Prescription Length and Prescribing Limits on Risk of Prolonged Postsurgical Opioid Use. Med Care 2022; 60:75-82. [PMID: 34812786 PMCID: PMC8900903 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to concerns about opioid addiction following surgery, many states have implemented laws capping the days supplied for initial postoperative prescriptions. However, few studies have examined changes in the risk of prolonged opioid use associated with the initial amount prescribed. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of prolonged opioid use associated with the length of initial opioid prescribed and the potential impact of prescribing limits. RESEARCH DESIGN Using Medicare insurance claims (2007-2017), we identified opioid-naive adults undergoing surgery. Using G-computation methods with logistic regression models, we estimated the risk of prolonged opioid use (≥1 opioid prescription dispensed in 3 consecutive 30-d windows following surgery) associated with the varying initial number of days supplied. We then estimate the potential reduction in cases of prolonged opioid use associated with varying prescribing limits. RESULTS We identified 1,060,596 opioid-naive surgical patients. Among the 70.0% who received an opioid for postoperative pain, 1.9% had prolonged opioid use. The risk of prolonged use increased from 0.7% (1 d supply) to 4.4% (15+ d). We estimated that a prescribing limit of 4 days would be associated with a risk reduction of 4.84 (3.59, 6.09)/1000 patients and would be associated with 2255 cases of prolonged use potentially avoided. The commonly used day supply limit of 7 would be associated with a smaller reduction in risk [absolute risk difference=2.04 (-0.17, 4.25)/1000]. CONCLUSIONS The risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery increased monotonically with increasing prescription duration. Common prescribing maximums based on days supplied may impact many patients but are associated with relatively low numbers of reduced cases of prolonged use. Any prescribing limits need to be weighed against the need for adequate pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C. Young
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7400, U.S.A
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Nabarun Dasgupta
- Injury Prevention Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Brooke A. Chidgey
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Til Stürmer
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7400, U.S.A
| | - Virginia Pate
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7400, U.S.A
| | - Michael Hudgens
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7400, U.S.A
| | - Michele Jonsson Funk
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7400, U.S.A
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Kharasch ED, Clark JD, Adams JM. Opioids and Public Health: The Prescription Opioid Ecosystem and Need for Improved Management. Anesthesiology 2022; 136:10-30. [PMID: 34874401 PMCID: PMC10715730 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
While U.S. opioid prescribing has decreased 38% in the past decade, opioid deaths have increased 300%. This opioid paradox is poorly recognized. Current approaches to opioid management are not working, and new approaches are needed. This article reviews the outcomes and shortcomings of recent U.S. opioid policies and strategies that focus primarily or exclusively on reducing or eliminating opioid prescribing. It introduces concepts of a prescription opioid ecosystem and opioid pool, and it discusses how the pool can be influenced by supply-side, demand-side, and opioid returns factors. It illuminates pressing policy needs for an opioid ecosystem that enables proper opioid stewardship, identifies associated responsibilities, and emphasizes the necessity of making opioid returns as easy and common as opioid prescribing, in order to minimize the size of the opioid pool available for potential diversion, misuse, overdose, and death. Approaches are applicable to opioid prescribing in general, and to opioid prescribing after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Kharasch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - J David Clark
- the Anesthesiology Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
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Einarsson A, Chiu AS, Mori M, Kahler-Quesada A, Assi R, Vallabhajosyula P, Geirsson A. Changing the default option in electronic medical records reduced postoperative opioid prescriptions after cardiac surgery. JTCVS OPEN 2021; 8:467-474. [PMID: 36004108 PMCID: PMC9390380 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjon.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective Overprescribing of opioids has contributed to the opioid epidemic. Electronic medical records systems can auto-populate a default number of opioid pills that are prescribed at time of discharge. The aim of this study was to examine the association between lowered default pill counts with changed prescribing practices after cardiac surgery. Methods On May 18, 2017, the default number of pills prescribers see in electronic medical records in the Yale New Haven Health System was lowered from 30 to 12. Patients undergoing coronary artery grafts, valve surgeries, and thoracic aortic aneurysm surgeries were included in this study. Data were gathered and stratified into 2 groups: 1 year before and 1 year following the default change. The amount of opioid prescribed was compared between the 2 groups. Results A total of 1741 patient charts were reviewed, 832 before the change and 909 after the change. Significant changes were seen in prescribing practices, where the average amount of opioid prescribed was about 25% lower after the change. This amounted to about 15 fewer pills of 5 mg morphine for each patient. A linear regression model adjusting for other factors determined a prescribing difference of 75.2 morphine milligram equivalents per prescription (P < .01). In addition, a significant decrease in opioids prescribed was found for each type of procedure. Conclusions Lowering the default opioid pill count in electronic medical record systems is a simple intervention that may modify prescribing behavior to promote judicious prescribing of opioids after cardiac surgery.
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Minkowitz H, Soto R, Fanikos J, Hammer GB, Mehta N, Hu J, Redan J. Opioid-Free Recovery After Hernia Repair with HTX-011 as the Foundation of a Non-Opioid, Multimodal Analgesia Regimen in a Real-World Setting: A Randomized, Open-Label Study. Pain Ther 2021; 10:1295-1308. [PMID: 34318438 PMCID: PMC8586395 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-021-00289-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helping Opioid Prescription Elimination (HOPE) is a project designed to provide surgeons with practical, real-world solutions to effectively manage postoperative pain and eliminate the need for opioids using HTX-011 (extended-release bupivacaine/low-dose meloxicam). In phase 3 herniorrhaphy and bunionectomy studies, HTX-011 without multimodal analgesia (MMA) was superior to bupivacaine hydrochloride in reducing pain and opioid consumption. Here, we examine the HOPE Hernia-1 study, which was designed to compare alternating ibuprofen/acetaminophen with concurrent use as part of an HTX-011-based non-opioid MMA regimen in patients undergoing herniorrhaphy and to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized opioid prescription algorithm. METHODS Patients undergoing outpatient open inguinal herniorrhaphy with intraoperative administration of HTX-011 (300 mg bupivacaine/9 mg meloxicam) were randomly assigned to receive a scheduled oral regimen of ibuprofen plus acetaminophen, either taken together every 6 hours or alternating every 3 hours, for 5 days following surgery, while awake. Based on the opioid prescription algorithm evaluated here, patients could receive an oxycodone prescription upon discharge only if they had a numeric rating scale pain score of ≥ 6 at discharge and/or had received a postoperative rescue opioid. RESULTS The majority of patients did not require an opioid prescription through 2 weeks following surgery, and this was similar between cohorts (alternating MMA, 89.1%; concurrent MMA, 93.6%). Patient satisfaction was high for both regimens, and 95% of patients had an opioid-free recovery. No patient discharged without a prescription called back to request one. Treatment was well tolerated, without evidence of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related toxicity. CONCLUSIONS HTX-011, used with over-the-counter products ibuprofen/acetaminophen and personalized opioid prescription algorithm in a real-world environment, has the potential to reduce opioid use and opioid prescriptions after herniorrhaphy without compromising patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03237481.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roy Soto
- Beaumont Health System, 3601 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI USA
| | - John Fanikos
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Gregory B. Hammer
- Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Neel Mehta
- Weill Cornell Pain Medicine Center, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Jia Hu
- Heron Therapeutics, Inc., 4242 Campus Point Court Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - Jay Redan
- AdventHealth Celebration, 400 Celebration Place, Celebration, FL 34747 USA
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Blackburn NA, Joniak-Grant E, Nocera M, Dorris SW, Dasgupta N, Chelminski PR, Carey TS, Wu LT, Edwards DA, Marshall SW, Ranapurwala SI. Implementation of mandatory opioid prescribing limits in North Carolina: healthcare administrator and prescriber perspectives. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1191. [PMID: 34732177 PMCID: PMC8565171 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07230-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent increases in state laws to reduce opioid prescribing have demonstrated a need to understand how they are interpreted and implemented in healthcare systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the systems, strategies, and resources that hospital administrators and prescribers used to implement the 2017 North Carolina Strengthen Opioid Prevention (STOP) Act opioid prescribing limits, which limited initial prescriptions to a five (for acute) or seven (for post-surgical) days' supply. METHODS We interviewed 14 hospital administrators and 38 prescribers with degrees in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, business administration and public health working across North Carolina. Interview guides, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, explored barriers and facilitators to implementation. Interview topics included communication, resources, and hospital system support. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, then analyzed using flexible coding, integrating inductive and deductive coding, to inform analytic code development and identify themes. RESULTS We identified three main themes around implementation of STOP act mandated prescribing limits: organizational communication, prescriber education, and changes in the electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Administrators reflected on implementation in the context of raising awareness and providing reminders to facilitate changes in prescriber behavior, operationalized through email and in-person communications as well as dedicated resources to EMR changes. Prescribers noted administrative communications about prescribing limits often focused on legality, suggesting a directive of the organization's policy rather than a passive reminder. Prescribers expressed a desire for more spaces to have their questions answered and resources for patient communications. While hospital administrators viewed compliance with the law as a priority, prescribers reflected on concerns for adequately managing their patients' pain and limited time for clinical care. CONCLUSIONS Hospital administrators and prescribers approached implementation of the STOP act prescribing limits with different mindsets. While administrators were focused on policy compliance, prescribers were focused on their patients' needs. Strategies to implement the mandate then had to balance patient needs with policy compliance. As states continue to legislate to prevent opioid overdose deaths, understanding how laws are implemented by healthcare systems and prescribers will improve their effectiveness through tailoring and maximizing available resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Blackburn
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA.
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Joniak-Grant
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Maryalice Nocera
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Samantha Wooten Dorris
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
| | - Nabarun Dasgupta
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
- Office of Research, Innovations, and Global Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul R Chelminski
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Timothy S Carey
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Cecil G. Sheps Health Center for Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Li-Tzy Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David A Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Stephen W Marshall
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shabbar I Ranapurwala
- University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Davis CS, Lieberman AJ. Laws limiting prescribing and dispensing of opioids in the United States, 1989-2019. Addiction 2021; 116:1817-1827. [PMID: 33245795 DOI: 10.1111/add.15359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Opioid overdose is a public health emergency in the United States. In an attempt to reduce potentially inappropriate opioid prescribing, many US states have adopted legal restrictions on the ability of medical professionals to prescribe or dispense opioids for pain. This review describes the major elements of relevant US state laws and the ways in which they have changed over time. METHODS Systematic legal review in which two trained legal researchers collected and reviewed all US state laws that limit the amount or duration of opioids that medical professionals may prescribe or dispense for pain. These laws were then coded on a set of pre-selected measures, including when the law was enacted, dosage and duration limits imposed, circumstances in which the restrictions do not apply and whether additional requirements or restrictions apply to prescriptions issued to minors. RESULTS The number of US states with opioid limitation laws increased from 10 in 2016 to 39 by the end of 2019. The provisions of these laws vary between states and have shifted within states over time. At the end of 2019 the modal duration limit was 7 days, with a range of 3 to 31. Fourteen states imposed limits on the dosage of opioids that can be prescribed, ranging from 30 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) to a 120 MME daily maximum. In 16 states, different limits apply to prescriptions issued to minors. CONCLUSIONS The number of US states with opioid limitation laws nearly quadrupled between 2016 and 2019, with a great amount of heterogeneity between state restrictions and changes over time.
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Day RW, Newhook TE, Dewhurst WL, Arvide EM, Bruno ML, Vauthey JN, Tzeng CWD. Assessing the 5×-Multiplier Calculation to Reduce Discharge Opioid Prescription Volumes After Inpatient Surgery. JAMA Surg 2021; 155:1166-1167. [PMID: 32997105 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.3527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W Day
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Timothy E Newhook
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Whitney L Dewhurst
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Elsa M Arvide
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Morgan L Bruno
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - Ching-Wei D Tzeng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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Keshwani S, Grande I, Maguire M, Goodin A, Vouri SM, Hincapie-Castillo JM. Trends in Use of Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Medications Before vs After Implementation of a Florida Law Restricting Opioid Prescribing for Acute Pain. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2113383. [PMID: 34115125 PMCID: PMC8196340 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Previous research has shown an immediate reduction in new opioid users and use after implementation of the opioid supply restriction laws. Assessment of the association between opioid restrictions and alternative treatment options, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is needed to evaluate potential unintended consequences for patients requiring analgesia. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between an opioid restriction law in Florida and use of prescription NSAIDs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This quality improvement study used interrupted time series analyses accounting for autocorrelation to estimate immediate and trend changes in the prescribing and use of prescription NSAIDs in Florida before and after implementation of a state law limiting opioid prescriptions to a 3-day supply. Participants were enrollees in a single private health plan of a large university and health system employer in Florida from January 2015 to June 2019. EXPOSURES Prescriptions for NSAIDs, ascertained from pharmacy claims data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The following outcomes were calculated monthly per 1000 plan enrollees: (1) number of NSAID users; (2) mean days' supply of NSAIDs per prescription; and (3) mean number of NSAID prescriptions. Individuals were classified as NSAID users if they had at least 1 NSAID prescription in a given month. Analysis was stratified by route of NSAID administration (oral or nonoral). RESULTS Among 46 783 NSAID users with 79 089 NSAID prescriptions during the study period, the median age was 47 years (interquartile range, 35-57 years). After implementation of the opioid restriction law, the number of NSAID users immediately increased, but the difference was not significant (change, 0.82 per 1000 patients; 95% CI, -0.67 to 2.30 per 1000 patients). No significant change in the days' supply of oral NSAID users occurred (change, 0.21 days per prescription; 95% CI, -1.66 to 2.08 days per prescription). Before implementation of the law, there was a nonsignificant decreasing trend in NSAID prescriptions (rate of change, -0.03 per month per 1000 enrollees; 95% CI, -0.13 to 0.07 per month per 1000 enrollees; after implementation, there was a nonsignificant increase in the number of oral and nonoral NSAID prescriptions (change, 1.49 per 1000 enrollees; 95% CI, -3.38 to 6.37 per 1000 enrollees). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this quality improvement study, prescribing and use of prescription NSAIDs did not increase after implementation of a law restricting opioid analgesic prescriptions in Florida. These findings suggest possible greater use of over-the-counter NSAIDs after implementation of the law, but further research is needed to evaluate changes in the use of nonopioid analgesics and alternative pain therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailina Keshwani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Ivanna Grande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Michael Maguire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Amie Goodin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Scott M. Vouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
- UF Health Physicians, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Juan M. Hincapie-Castillo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville
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Oueini R, Goodin A, Vouri SM, Park H, Lo-Ciganic WH, Hincapie-Castillo JM. Changes in Schedule II oral opioid volume dispensed in a private health plan following Florida's Acute Pain Opioid Restriction Law. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2021; 27:779-784. [PMID: 34057389 PMCID: PMC10391105 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.27.6.779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Florida's House Bill 21 (HB21), implemented into law on July 1, 2018, limited opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a 3-day supply. While the law has been associated with a decrease in opioid prescribing for acute pain, its effect on opioid volume dispensed at the plan level remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of HB21 on the total volume dispensed of oral Schedule II opioids. We evaluated the change from before to after the law's implementation in (1) total number of opioid units dispensed per month and (2) total morphine milligram equivalent (MMEs) dispensed per month. METHODS: Pharmacy claims from July 2017 to June 2019 were analyzed from a private health plan serving a large Florida employer. We summed the number of units and the total MMEs dispensed for each month per 1,000 enrollees. Units were defined as the total quantity of tablets/capsules dispensed for each Schedule II oral opioid prescription. We used interrupted time series (ITS) models, accounting for autocorrelation, to determine any immediate change after the policy implementation and to estimate trends before and after the policy. RESULTS: We identified 16,226 prescriptions of oral Scheduled II opioids dispensed to 6,315 enrollees over a 2-year period. The HB21 law was associated with an immediate but not statistically significant decrease of 110.25 units dispensed per 1,000 enrollees in the month after implementation (95% CI: -218.84, -1.67; P = 0.06). There was an immediate but not statistically significant decrease of 1,456.29 MMEs dispensed per 1,000 enrollees following HB21 implementation (95% CI: -2,983.87, 71.29; P = 0.07). There were no significant changes in the slopes of the trends for total number of opioid units and total MMEs dispensed after HB21. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial lower quantities, there were no significant immediate reductions in total opioid units and MMEs dispensed in the year following the implementation of HB21. Our findings can inform other health plans on the potential effect of such restrictive laws and policies in other states where preexisting declining trends might have a higher impact than restriction policies. Future studies are needed to evaluate long-term intended and unintended consequences, including effects on patients' access to care, resulting from this type of restrictive law. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. The authors report no conflicts of interest. Preliminary results of this study were presented at the Virtual ISPOR 2020 Conference held May 18-20, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razanne Oueini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Amie Goodin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy and Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Scott M Vouri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety; and UF Health Physicians, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Haesuk Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy and Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Wei-Hsuan Lo-Ciganic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy and Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Juan M Hincapie-Castillo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes & Policy; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety; and Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, Gainesville
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Abstract
Opioids form an important component of general anesthesia and perioperative analgesia. Discharge opioid prescriptions are identified as a contributor for persistent opioid use and diversion. In parallel, there is increased enthusiasm to advocate opioid-free strategies, which include a combination of known analgesics and adjuvants, many of which are in the form of continuous infusions. This article critically reviews perioperative opioid use, especially in view of opioid-sparing versus opioid-free strategies. The data indicate that opioid-free strategies, however noble in their cause, do not fully acknowledge the limitations and gaps within the existing evidence and clinical practice considerations. Moreover, they do not allow analgesic titration based on patient needs; are unclear about optimal components and their role in different surgical settings and perioperative phases; and do not serve to decrease the risk of persistent opioid use, thereby distracting us from optimizing pain and minimizing realistic long-term harms.
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Kim BJ, Newhook TE, Blumenthaler A, Chiang YJ, Aloia TA, Roland CL, Katz MHG, Vauthey JN, Lee JE, Tzeng CWD. Sustained reduction in discharge opioid volumes through provider education: Results of 1168 cancer surgery patients over 2 years. J Surg Oncol 2021; 124:143-151. [PMID: 33751605 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An opioid reduction education program to decrease discharge opioid prescriptions was initiated in our Department of Surgical Oncology. The study's aim was to measure the results and sustainability of these interventions 1 year later. METHODS This prospective quality improvement project identified patients undergoing resection in five index tumor sites (peritoneal surface, sarcoma, stomach, pancreas, liver) at a high-volume cancer center. Patients were grouped into pre-education (PRE: July 2017-July 2018) and posteducation (POST: September 2018-July 2019) periods, before and after departmental education talks and videos in August 2018. Opioids were converted to oral morphine equivalents (OME) to compare the groups. RESULTS Of 1168 evaluable patients (PRE 646, 55%; POST 522, 45%), the median last-24-h inpatient OME was 15 mg in PRE patients and 10 mg in POST patients (p < .001). Median discharge OME decreased from 200 mg in PRE to 100 mg in POST patients (p < .001). The frequency of patients with zero discharge opioids increased from 11% to 19% (p < .001). This discharge OME reduction amounted to 52,200 mg OME saved, or the equivalent of 6960 5-mg oxycodone pills not disseminated. CONCLUSIONS A perioperative opioid reduction education program targeted to providers halved discharge OME, with sustained reductions 1 year later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford J Kim
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Timothy E Newhook
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alisa Blumenthaler
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yi-Ju Chiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas A Aloia
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Christina L Roland
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew H G Katz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Lee
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ching-Wei D Tzeng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA
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Anderson M, Hallway A, Brummett C, Waljee J, Englesbe M, Howard R. Patient-Reported Outcomes After Opioid-Sparing Surgery Compared With Standard of Care. JAMA Surg 2021; 156:286-287. [PMID: 33502440 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.5646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maia Anderson
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Alex Hallway
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Ann Arbor
| | - Chad Brummett
- Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Ann Arbor.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Jennifer Waljee
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Ann Arbor
| | - Michael Englesbe
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Ann Arbor
| | - Ryan Howard
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Michigan Opioid Prescribing and Engagement Network, Ann Arbor
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Kessler BA, Burrus B, Somashekar G, Wurzelmann SP, Bhowmick D. Limitations on Postoperative Opioid Prescriptions and Effects on Health Care Resource Use Following Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. World Neurosurg 2020; 146:e501-e508. [PMID: 33127575 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.10.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To curb the misuse of postoperative prescription opioids, the state of North Carolina enacted the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act of 2017 limiting the duration of initial postoperative opioid prescriptions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the STOP Act's effect on health care resource use by comparing patient outcomes and opioid prescribing practices following elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS Outcomes and opioid prescribing data were retrospectively evaluated for Pre-Law (January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017) and Post-Law (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018) elective 1- to 4-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion patient cohorts. Outcome measures included hospital and clinic resource use in the form of emergency department visits, readmissions, major postoperative complications, number of clinic visits, or number of clinic phone calls by patients reporting uncontrolled pain or requesting new opioid prescriptions. Opioid-prescribing practices in the form of discharge prescription number of pills and total morphine milliequivalents also were recorded. RESULTS Surrounding the STOP Act's implementation, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in emergency department visits, readmissions, major complications, number of postoperative clinic visits, or number of clinic phone calls for uncontrolled pain or new prescription requests. There was a significant decline in mean discharge prescription number of pills (89.7 vs. 67.0, P < 0.001), and average morphine milliequivalents (683.4 vs. 509.6, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This may reflect overprescribing in this population, where larger opioid prescriptions were likely not needed to manage pain that would otherwise require a return to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice A Kessler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Brainard Burrus
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Greeshma Somashekar
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Samuel P Wurzelmann
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deb Bhowmick
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Harbaugh CM, Malani P, Solway E, Kirch M, Singer D, Englesbe MJ, Brummett CM, Waljee JF. Self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among US adults 50-80. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020; 45:949-954. [PMID: 33024006 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2020-101544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the association between self-reported opioid disposal education and self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among older adults. DESIGN Web-based survey from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (March 2018) using population-based weighting for nationally representative estimates. SUBJECTS Older adults aged 50-80 years who reported filling an opioid prescription within the past 2 years. METHODS Respondents were asked whether they received education from a prescriber or pharmacist on how to dispose of leftover opioids and whether they disposed of leftover opioids from recent prescriptions. The association between self-reported opioid disposal education and self-reported disposal of leftover opioids was estimated with multivariable logistic regression, testing for interactions with respondent demographics. RESULTS Among 2013 respondents (74% response rate), 596 (28.9% (26.8%-31.2%)) were prescribed opioids within the past 2 years. Education on opioid disposal was reported by 40.1% of respondents (35.8%-44.5%). Among 295 respondents with leftover medication, 19.0% (14.6%-24.5%) disposed of the leftover medications. Opioid disposal education was associated with a greater likelihood of self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among non-white respondents as compared with white non-Hispanic respondents (36.7% (16.8%-56.6%) vs 7.8% (0.1%-15.6%), p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In this nationally representative survey, 49% had leftover opioids, yet only 20% of older adults reported disposal of leftover opioids. Opioid disposal education was variable in delivery, but was associated with disposal behaviors among certain populations. Strategies to promote disposal should integrate patient education on the risks of leftover opioid medications and explore additional barriers to accessing opioid disposal methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calista M Harbaugh
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA .,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Preeti Malani
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Erica Solway
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthias Kirch
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Dianne Singer
- Department of Pediatrics and the Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael J Englesbe
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chad M Brummett
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jennifer F Waljee
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Moo TA, Pawloski KR, Sevilimedu V, Charyn J, Simon BA, Sclafani LM, Plitas G, Barrio AV, Kirstein LJ, Van Zee KJ, Morrow M. Changing the Default: A Prospective Study of Reducing Discharge Opioid Prescription after Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy. Ann Surg Oncol 2020; 27:4637-4642. [PMID: 32734370 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-020-08886-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether routinely prescribed opioids are necessary for pain control after discharge among lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy (Lump/SLNB) patients is unclear. We hypothesize that Lump/SLNB patients could be discharged without opioids, with a failure rate < 10%. This study prospectively examines outcomes after changing standard discharge prescription from an opioid/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to NSAID/acetaminophen. PATIENTS AND METHODS Standard discharge pain medication orders included opioids in the first 3-month study period and were changed to NSAID/acetaminophen in the second 3-month period. Patient-reported medication consumption and pain scores were collected by post-discharge survey. Frequency of discharge with opioid, NSAID/acetaminophen failure rate, opioid use, and pain scores were examined. RESULTS From May to October 2019, 663 patients had Lump/SLNB: 371 in the opioid study period and 292 in the NSAID period. In the opioid period, 92% (342/371) of patients were prescribed an opioid at discharge; of 142 patients who documented opioid use on the survey, 86 (61%) used zero tablets. Among 56 (39%) patients who used opioids, the median number taken by POD 5 was 4. After the change to NSAID/acetaminophen, rates of opioid prescription decreased to 14% (41/292). The NSAID/acetaminophen failure rate was 2% (5/251). Among survey respondents, there was no significant difference in the maximum reported pain scores (POD 1-5) between the opioid period and the NSAID period (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS In Lump/SLNB patients, a change to default discharge with NSAID/acetaminophen resulted in a 78% absolute reduction in opioid prescription, with a failure rate of 2% and no difference in patient-reported pain scores. Most Lump/SLNB patients can be discharged with NSAID/acetaminophen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy-Ann Moo
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate R Pawloski
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Varadan Sevilimedu
- Biostatistics Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jillian Charyn
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brett A Simon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Josie Robertson Surgery Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa M Sclafani
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Plitas
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea V Barrio
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laurie J Kirstein
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kimberly J Van Zee
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monica Morrow
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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46
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Schäfer WLA, Stulberg JJ. Addressing (over)prescribing of opioids in surgery. Am J Surg 2020; 220:821-822. [PMID: 32807384 PMCID: PMC7388789 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Willemijn L A Schäfer
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jonah J Stulberg
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
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