Preoperative patient education and patient preparedness are associated with less postoperative use of opioids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Because many patients are first exposed to opioids after general surgery procedures, surgical stewardship for the use of opioids is critical in addressing the opioid crisis. We developed a multi-component opioid reduction program to minimize the use of opioids after surgery. Our objectives were to assess patient exposure to the intervention and to investigate the association with postoperative use and disposal of opioids.

Methods

We implemented a multi-component intervention, including patient education, the settings of expectations, the education of the providers, and an in-clinic disposal box in our large, academic, general surgery clinic. From April to December 2018, patients were surveyed by phone 30 to 60 days after their operation regarding their experience

SUBMITTER: Khorfan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7192392 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature