Discharge prescription patterns of opioid and nonopioid analgesics after common surgical procedures

Michael J. Nooromid*, Blay B. Eddie, Jane L. Holl, Karl Y. Bilimoria, Julie K. Johnson, Mark K. Eskandari, Jonah J. Stulberg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Recent literature has shown a wide variation in the prescribing patterns of opioids after elective surgery. We conducted an evaluation of discharge opioid prescribing after elective surgical procedures to determine whether opioid-prescribing patterns varied at our institution. Method: A single academic medical center retrospective review of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, open umbilical hernia repair, simple mastectomy, or thyroidectomy between July 2015 and July 2016. Results: Among a total of 615 unique surgical cases, we found a wide variation in the number of pills and morphine milligram equivalents prescribed for each procedure evaluated. In addition, 94.8% of all patients discharged received a prescription for opioids, whereas only 15.6% of patients received a prescription for a nonopioid analgesic. Conclusion: The number and strength of opioids prescribed after surgery can vary widely at a single institution. Further research is needed to elucidate variations in prescribing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere637
JournalPain Reports
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

Keywords

  • Discharge prescription
  • Opioid
  • Postoperative pain
  • Surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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