Implementation of an opioid reduction toolkit in pancreatectomy patients significantly increases patient awareness of safe practice and decreases amount prescribed and consumed.

Authors

• Ryan Lamm
• Shawnna Cannaday
• Francesca Ponzini
• David Moskal
• Megan Lundgren
• John E Williamson
• Brandon Wummer
• Rachel Huang
• George Sun
• Steven G Song
• Brian Im
• Luke L Kowal
• Inga Wu
• Wilbur B Bowne
• Avinoam Nevler
• Scott W Cowan
• Theresa Yeo
• Charles J Yeo
• Harish Lavu

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-2023

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.

Volume

25

Issue

7

First Page

807

Last Page

812

ISSN

1477-2574

Published In/Presented At

Lamm, R., Cannaday, S., Ponzini, F., Moskal, D., Lundgren, M., Williamson, J. E., Wummer, B., Huang, R., Sun, G., Song, S. G., Im, B., Kowal, L. L., Wu, I., Bowne, W. B., Nevler, A., Cowan, S. W., Yeo, T., Yeo, C. J., & Lavu, H. (2023). Implementation of an opioid reduction toolkit in pancreatectomy patients significantly increases patient awareness of safe practice and decreases amount prescribed and consumed. HPB : the official journal of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association, 25(7), 807–812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpb.2023.03.012

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

37019725

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article