Abstract
Background
Postoperative opioid abuse following surgery is a major concern. This study sought
to create an opioid reduction toolkit to reduce the number of narcotics prescribed
and consumed while increasing awareness of safe disposal in pancreatectomy patients.
Methods
Prescription, consumption, and refill request data for postoperative opioids were
collected from patients receiving an open pancreatectomy before and after the implementation
of an opioid reduction toolkit. Outcomes included safe disposal practice awareness
for unused medication.
Results
159 patients were included in the study: 24 in the pre-intervention and 135 in the
post-intervention group. No significant demographic or clinical differences existed
between groups. Median morphine milliequivalents (MMEs) prescribed were significantly
reduced from 225 (225–310) to 75 (75–113) in the post-intervention group (p < 0.0001). Median MMEs consumed were significantly reduced from 109 (111–207) to 15 (0–75),
p < 0.0001), as well. Refill request rates remained equivalent during the study (Pre: 17% v
Post: 13%, p = 0.9) while patient awareness of safe disposal increased (Pre: 25% v Post: 62%, p < 0.0001).
Discussion
An opioid reduction toolkit significantly reduced the number of postoperative opioids
prescribed and consumed after open pancreatectomy, while refill request rates remained
the same and patients’ awareness of safe disposal increased.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 21, 2023
Accepted:
March 19,
2023
Received:
October 27,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
☆This project was presented as an oral presentation at the 2022 Pancreas Club Annual Meeting, May 21, 2022 in San Diego, California, but has not been submitted anywhere else for publication.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
