Reduction in Opioid Prescribing Through Evidence-Based Prescribing Guidelines

Abstract

This interrupted time series analysis found significant changes in multiple dimensions of pain medication usage after the implementation of postoperative opioid prescription guidelines in a single hospital.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Waljee wishes to disclose that she receives research funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (grant K08 1K08HS023313-01), the American College of Surgeons, and the American Foundation for Surgery of the Hand, and also serves as an unpaid consultant for 3M Health Information systems. Drs Brummett, Waljee, and Englesbe receive funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The researchers have also received funding via National Institutes of Health National Institute of Drug Abuse grant R01 DA042859. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure.. Reduction in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing After Implementation of Prescribing Guidelines.

Following the implementation of evidence-based prescribing guidelines, opioid prescriptions were significantly reduced from an equivalent of approximately 45 pills of hydrocodone, 5 mg, to approximately 15 pills (P