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Cogan JC, Accordino MK, Beauchemin MP, Spivack JH, Ulene SR, Elkin EB, Melamed A, Taback B, Wright JD, Hershman DL. Efficacy of a password-protected, pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity to enhance disposal of unused opioids after cancer surgery. Cancer 2022; 128:3392-3399. [PMID: 35819926 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid misuse is a public health crisis, and unused postoperative opioids are an important source. Although 70% of pills prescribed go unused, only 9% are discarded. This study evaluated whether an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity could enhance disposal of unused opioids after cancer surgery. METHODS A prospective pilot study was conducted among adult patients who underwent major cancer-related surgery. Patients received opioid prescriptions in a mechanical device (Addinex) linked to a smartphone application (app). The app provided passwords on a prescriber-defined schedule. Patients could enter a password into the device and receive a pill if the prescribed time had elapsed. Patients were instructed to return the device and any unused pills in a disposal mailer. The primary end point was feasibility of device return, defined as ≥50% of patients returning the device within 6 weeks of surgery. Also explored was total pill use and return as well as patient satisfaction. RESULTS Among 30 patients enrolled, the majority (n = 24, 80%) returned the device, and 17 (57%) returned it within 6 weeks of surgery. In total, 567 opioid pills were prescribed and 170 (30%) were used. Of 397 excess pills, 332 (84% of unused pills, 59% of all pills prescribed) were disposed of by mail. Among 19 patients who obtained opioids from the device, most (n = 14, 74%) felt the benefits of the device justified the added steps involved. CONCLUSIONS Use of an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity is a feasible strategy to enhance disposal of unused postoperative opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C Cogan
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa K Accordino
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa P Beauchemin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York, USA
| | - John H Spivack
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sophie R Ulene
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elena B Elkin
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Melamed
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bret Taback
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jason D Wright
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Pak LM, Pawloski KR, Sevilimedu V, Kalvin HL, Le T, Tokita HK, Tadros A, Morrow M, Van Zee KJ, Kirstein LJ, Moo TA. How Much Pain Will I Have After Surgery? A Preoperative Nomogram to Predict Acute Pain Following Mastectomy. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:6706-6713. [PMID: 35699814 PMCID: PMC9196152 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-11976-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute postoperative pain affects time to opioid cessation and quality of life, and is associated with chronic pain. Effective screening tools are needed to identify patients at increased risk of experiencing more severe acute postoperative pain, and who may benefit from multimodal analgesia and early pain management referral. In this study, we develop a nomogram to preoperatively identify patients at high risk of moderate-severe pain following mastectomy. METHODS Demographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables were retrospectively assessed in 1195 consecutive patients who underwent mastectomy from January 2019 to December 2020 and had pain scores available from a post-discharge questionnaire. We examined pain severity on postoperative days 1-5, with moderate-severe pain as the outcome of interest. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with moderate-severe pain in a training cohort of 956 patients. The final model was determined using the Akaike information criterion. A nomogram was constructed using this model, which also included a priori selected clinically relevant variables. Internal validation was performed in the remaining cohort of 239 patients. RESULTS In the training cohort, 297 patients reported no-mild pain and 659 reported moderate-severe pain. High body mass index (p = 0.042), preoperative Distress Thermometer score ≥4 (p = 0.012), and bilateral surgery (p = 0.003) predicted moderate-severe pain. The resulting nomogram accurately predicted moderate-severe pain in the validation cohort (AUC = 0.735). CONCLUSIONS This nomogram incorporates eight preoperative variables to provide a risk estimate of acute moderate-severe pain following mastectomy. Preoperative risk stratification can identify patients who may benefit from individually tailored perioperative pain management strategies and early postoperative interventions to treat pain and assist with opioid tapering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Pak
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate R Pawloski
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Varadan Sevilimedu
- Biostatistics Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hannah L Kalvin
- Biostatistics Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiana Le
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanae K Tokita
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Audree Tadros
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monica Morrow
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kimberly J Van Zee
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laurie J Kirstein
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tracy-Ann Moo
- Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, USA.
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Discharge Opioid Prescribing Patterns in an Academic Orthopaedic Setting: Level of Training and Subspecialty Patterns. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2022; 30:e361-e370. [PMID: 34844260 DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-21-00895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite increased research on opioids in the orthopaedic literature, little is known of the prescribing practices of orthopaedic providers based on their level of training. The purpose of this study was to describe the discharge opioid prescribing patterns of orthopaedic providers, stratifying by level of training and orthopaedic subspecialty, within a single medical system. METHODS A retrospective review of orthopaedic surgical encounters was performed over a 1-year period for adults who received a discharge opioid prescription. Patient demographics and prescriber characteristics were collected, including the provider's level of training (attending, fellow, resident, physician assistant [PA], and nurse practitioner [NP]) and surgical subspecialty. Junior residents were postgraduate year 1 to 3, whereas senior residents/fellows were postgraduate year 4 to 6. Discharge opioids were converted to milligram morphine equivalents (MMEs). Overprescribing was defined as a prescribing more than a seven-day supply or >45 MMEs per day. Multivariable linear regression analysis determined the factors associated with discharge MMEs, whereas logistic regression determined the factors associated with overprescribing opioids. RESULTS Of the 3,786 patients reviewed, 1,500 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The greatest proportion of opioid prescriptions was written by junior residents (33.9%), followed by NPs (30.1%), PAs (24.1%), senior residents/fellows (10.6%), and attendings (1.2%). Compared with junior residents, senior residents prescribed -59.4 MMEs, NPs prescribed +104 MMEs, and attendings prescribed +168 MMEs (P < 0.05), whereas PAs prescribed similar amounts (P > 0.05). Orthopaedic subspecialty was also predictive of discharge MMEs (P < 0.05). Senior residents and attendings were more likely to prescribe more than seven days of opioids (P < 0.05), whereas NPs and PAs were more likely to prescribe >45 MMEs per day (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION This study demonstrates significant variability in opioid prescribing practices according to provider level of training and subspecialty. National guidelines for opioid prescribing practices and educational programs may help reduce such variability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective cohort study.
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