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Shuey B, Zhang F, Rosen E, Goh B, Trad NK, Wharam JF, Wen H. Massachusetts' opioid limit law associated with a reduction in postoperative opioid duration among orthopedic patients. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2023; 1:qxad068. [PMID: 38756368 PMCID: PMC10986237 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Postoperative orthopedic patients are a high-risk group for receiving long-duration, large-dosage opioid prescriptions. Rigorous evaluation of state opioid duration limit laws, enacted throughout the country in response to the opioid overdose epidemic, is lacking among this high-risk group. We took advantage of Massachusetts' early implementation of a 2016 7-day-limit law that occurred before other statewide or plan-wide policies took effect and used commercial insurance claims from 2014-2017 to study its association with postoperative opioid prescriptions greater than 7 days' duration among Massachusetts orthopedic patients relative to a New Hampshire control group. Our sample included 14 097 commercially insured, opioid-naive adults aged 18 years and older undergoing elective orthopedic procedures. We found that the Massachusetts 7-day limit was associated with an immediate 4.23 percentage point absolute reduction (95% CI, 8.12 to 0.33 percentage points) and a 33.27% relative reduction (95% CI, 55.36% to 11.19%) in the percentage of initial fills greater than 7 days in the Massachusetts relative to the control group. Seven-day-limit laws may be an important state-level tool to mitigate longer duration prescribing to high-risk postoperative populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryant Shuey
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Present address: Center for Research on Health Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Edward Rosen
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Brian Goh
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
- Present address: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Nicolas K Trad
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - James Franklin Wharam
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, United States
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, United States
| | - Hefei Wen
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, United States
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Dave AD, Falcone M. Opioid prescribing patterns among oculofacial plastic surgeons. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:167-174. [PMID: 35867311 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02413-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oculofacial plastic surgeons (OPS) prescribe narcotic pain prescriptions at a rate four times higher than that of other ophthalmologists. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand trends in opioid prescriptions among oculofacial plastic surgeons after common oculoplastic surgeries. METHODS This cross-sectional survey was sent to OPS in the USA between June 19, 2020 and December 1, 2020. Participants were asked about their training and practice as well as their top two choices for post-operative pain management both overall and for seven common oculoplastic surgeries. Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were performed to analyze relationships between categorical variables. RESULTS The two most common opioid medications, in percentage of respondents (n = 82), prescribed overall by OPS were hydrocodone-acetaminophen (35%) and tramadol (21%). Between OPS completed training before 1990 (16%) and those who completed training from 1991 to 2000 (12%), the latter cohort is 4.9 times more likely to prescribe opioids overall ([95% CI = 1.3-15.4], p = .01). Additionally, OPS who are currently practicing in the Southeast USA are 4.2 times more likely to prescribe opioids overall than those practicing in the Northeast USA ([95% CI: 1.4-12.8], p = .02). CONCLUSION This study has helped identify patterns in opioid prescribing behavior among OPS based on demographic information and common oculoplastic surgeries. This knowledge will help bring awareness of prescribing behavior to the oculoplastics community and identify areas of improvement to reduce opioid prescriptions. Kindly check and confirm the OD and ON has been correctly identified in 2nd affiliationYes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amisha D Dave
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion, 5th Floor, 135 Dowling Way, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Madina Falcone
- Department of Ophthalmology, UConn Health, Outpatient Pavilion, 5th Floor, 135 Dowling Way, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
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Anne S, Mims JW, Tunkel DE, Rosenfeld RM, Boisoneau DS, Brenner MJ, Cramer JD, Dickerson D, Finestone SA, Folbe AJ, Galaiya DJ, Messner AH, Paisley A, Sedaghat AR, Stenson KM, Sturm AK, Lambie EM, Dhepyasuwan N, Monjur TM. Clinical Practice Guideline: Opioid Prescribing for Analgesia After Common Otolaryngology Operations Executive Summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 164:687-703. [PMID: 33822678 DOI: 10.1177/0194599821996303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opioid use disorder (OUD), which includes the morbidity of dependence and mortality of overdose, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Overprescription of opioids can lead to chronic use and misuse, and unused narcotics after surgery can lead to their diversion. Research supports that most patients do not take all the prescribed opioids after surgery and that surgeons are the second largest prescribers of opioids in the United States. The introduction of opioids in those with OUD often begins with prescription opioids. Reducing the number of extra opioids available after surgery through smaller prescriptions, safe storage, and disposal should reduce the risk of opioid use disorder in otolaryngology patients and their families. PURPOSE The purpose of this specialty-specific guideline is to identify quality improvement opportunities in postoperative pain management of common otolaryngologic surgical procedures. These opportunities are communicated through clear actionable statements with explanation of the support in the literature, evaluation of the quality of the evidence, and recommendations on implementation. Employing these action statements should reduce the variation in care across the specialty and improve postoperative pain control while reducing risk of OUD. The target patients for the guideline are any patients treated for anticipated or reported pain within the first 30 days after undergoing common otolaryngologic procedures. The target audience of the guideline is otolaryngologists who perform surgery and clinicians who manage pain after surgical procedures. Outcomes to be considered include whether the patient has stopped using opioids, has disposed of unused opioids, and was satisfied with the pain management plan.The guideline addresses assessment of the patient for OUD risk factors, counseling on pain expectations, and identifying factors that can affect pain duration and/or severity. It also discusses the use of multimodal analgesia as first-line treatment and the responsible use of opioids. Last, safe disposal of unused opioids is discussed.This guideline is intended to focus on evidence-based quality improvement opportunities judged most important by the guideline development group. It is not a comprehensive guide on pain management in otolaryngologic procedures. The statements in this guideline are not intended to limit or restrict care provided by clinicians based on their experiences and assessments of individual patients. ACTION STATEMENTS The guideline development group made strong recommendations for the following key action statements: (3A) prior to surgery, clinicians should identify risk factors for opioid use disorder when analgesia using opioids is anticipated; (6) clinicians should advocate for nonopioid medications as first-line management of pain after otolaryngologic surgery; (9) clinicians should recommend that patients (or their caregivers) store prescribed opioids securely and dispose of unused opioids through take-back programs or another accepted method.The guideline development group made recommendations for the following key action statements: (1) prior to surgery, clinicians should advise patients and others involved in the postoperative care about the expected duration and severity of pain; (2) prior to surgery, clinicians should gather information specific to the patient that modifies severity and/or duration of pain; (3B) in patients at risk for OUD, clinicians should evaluate the need to modify the analgesia plan; (4) clinicians should promote shared decision making by informing patients of the benefits and risks of postoperative pain treatments that include nonopioid analgesics, opioid analgesics, and nonpharmacologic interventions; (5) clinicians should develop a multimodal treatment plan for managing postoperative pain; (7) when treating postoperative pain with opioids, clinicians should limit therapy to the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration; (8A) clinicians should instruct patients and caregivers how to communicate if pain is not controlled or if medication side effects occur; (8B) clinicians should educate patients to stop opioids when pain is controlled with nonopioids and stop all analgesics when pain has resolved; (10) clinicians should inquire, within 30 days of surgery, whether the patient has stopped using opioids, has disposed of unused opioids, and was satisfied with the pain management plan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Whit Mims
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - David E Tunkel
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - John D Cramer
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - David Dickerson
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA.,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Adam J Folbe
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
| | - Deepa J Galaiya
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anna H Messner
- Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Allison Paisley
- University of Pennsylvania Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ahmad R Sedaghat
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Angela K Sturm
- Angela Sturm, MD, PLLC, Houston, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin M Lambie
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Nui Dhepyasuwan
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Taskin M Monjur
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
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Anne S, Mims JW, Tunkel DE, Rosenfeld RM, Boisoneau DS, Brenner MJ, Cramer JD, Dickerson D, Finestone SA, Folbe AJ, Galaiya DJ, Messner AH, Paisley A, Sedaghat AR, Stenson KM, Sturm AK, Lambie EM, Dhepyasuwan N, Monjur TM. Clinical Practice Guideline: Opioid Prescribing for Analgesia After Common Otolaryngology Operations. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 164:S1-S42. [PMID: 33822668 DOI: 10.1177/0194599821996297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opioid use disorder (OUD), which includes the morbidity of dependence and mortality of overdose, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Overprescription of opioids can lead to chronic use and misuse, and unused narcotics after surgery can lead to their diversion. Research supports that most patients do not take all the prescribed opioids after surgery and that surgeons are the second largest prescribers of opioids in the United States. The introduction of opioids in those with OUD often begins with prescription opioids. Reducing the number of extra opioids available after surgery through smaller prescriptions, safe storage, and disposal should reduce the risk of opioid use disorder in otolaryngology patients and their families. PURPOSE The purpose of this specialty-specific guideline is to identify quality improvement opportunities in postoperative pain management of common otolaryngologic surgical procedures. These opportunities are communicated through clear actionable statements with explanation of the support in the literature, evaluation of the quality of the evidence, and recommendations on implementation. Employing these action statements should reduce the variation in care across the specialty and improve postoperative pain control while reducing risk of OUD. The target patients for the guideline are any patients treated for anticipated or reported pain within the first 30 days after undergoing common otolaryngologic procedures. The target audience of the guideline is otolaryngologists who perform surgery and clinicians who manage pain after surgical procedures. Outcomes to be considered include whether the patient has stopped using opioids, has disposed of unused opioids, and was satisfied with the pain management plan.The guideline addresses assessment of the patient for OUD risk factors, counseling on pain expectations, and identifying factors that can affect pain duration and/or severity. It also discusses the use of multimodal analgesia as first-line treatment and the responsible use of opioids. Last, safe disposal of unused opioids is discussed.This guideline is intended to focus on evidence-based quality improvement opportunities judged most important by the guideline development group. It is not a comprehensive guide on pain management in otolaryngologic procedures. The statements in this guideline are not intended to limit or restrict care provided by clinicians based on their experiences and assessments of individual patients. ACTION STATEMENTS The guideline development group made strong recommendations for the following key action statements: (3A) prior to surgery, clinicians should identify risk factors for opioid use disorder when analgesia using opioids is anticipated; (6) clinicians should advocate for nonopioid medications as first-line management of pain after otolaryngologic surgery; (9) clinicians should recommend that patients (or their caregivers) store prescribed opioids securely and dispose of unused opioids through take-back programs or another accepted method.The guideline development group made recommendations for the following key action statements: (1) prior to surgery, clinicians should advise patients and others involved in the postoperative care about the expected duration and severity of pain; (2) prior to surgery, clinicians should gather information specific to the patient that modifies severity and/or duration of pain; (3B) in patients at risk for OUD, clinicians should evaluate the need to modify the analgesia plan; (4) clinicians should promote shared decision making by informing patients of the benefits and risks of postoperative pain treatments that include nonopioid analgesics, opioid analgesics, and nonpharmacologic interventions; (5) clinicians should develop a multimodal treatment plan for managing postoperative pain; (7) when treating postoperative pain with opioids, clinicians should limit therapy to the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration; (8A) clinicians should instruct patients and caregivers how to communicate if pain is not controlled or if medication side effects occur; (8B) clinicians should educate patients to stop opioids when pain is controlled with nonopioids and stop all analgesics when pain has resolved; (10) clinicians should inquire, within 30 days of surgery, whether the patient has stopped using opioids, has disposed of unused opioids, and was satisfied with the pain management plan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Whit Mims
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - David E Tunkel
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - John D Cramer
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - David Dickerson
- NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, USA.,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Adam J Folbe
- Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
| | - Deepa J Galaiya
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anna H Messner
- Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Allison Paisley
- University of Pennsylvania Otorhinolaryngology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ahmad R Sedaghat
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Angela K Sturm
- Angela Sturm, MD, PLLC, Houston, Texas, USA.,University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin M Lambie
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Nui Dhepyasuwan
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Taskin M Monjur
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
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