Deprescribing: implications for the anaesthetist

An international multidisciplinary consensus statement on the prevention of opioid-related harm in adult surgical patients

This international multidisciplinary consensus statement was developed to provide balanced guidance on the safe peri-operative use of opioids in adults. An international panel of healthcare professionals evaluated the literature relating to postoperative opioid-related harm, including persistent postoperative opioid use; opioid-induced ventilatory impairment; non-medical opioid use; opioid diversion and dependence; and driving under the influence of prescription opioids. Recommended strategies to reduce harm include pre-operative assessment of the risk of persistent postoperative opioid use; use of an assessment of patient function rather than unidimensional pain scores alone to guide adequacy of analgesia; avoidance of long-acting (modified-release and transdermal patches) opioid formulations and combination analgesics; limiting the number of tablets prescribed at discharge; providing deprescribing advice; avoidance of automatic prescription refills; safe disposal of unused medicines; reducing the risk of opioid diversion; and better education of healthcare professionals, patients and carers. This consensus statement provides a framework for better prescribing practices that could help reduce the risk of postoperative opioid-related harm in adults.

Deprescribing practices for anticonvulsants after benign seizures secondary to high-dose tranexamic acid in a single, large UK cardiothoracic centre

OBJECTIVE

High-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) can cause seizures in patients who have undergone pulmonary endarterectomy (PTE). Seizures secondary to TXA will resolve once the drug is excreted from the body, and the patients do not have to be on long-term anticonvulsants. The aim of the study is to find out if medication review in the hospital has led to deprescribing of anticonvulsants for TXA-associated seizures on discharge from the critical care unit (CCU) and hospital.

METHODS

This is a single-centre retrospective study conducted at a tertiary cardiothoracic hospital between 2012 and 2017. The inclusion criteria consisted of all adult patients who have undergone PTE surgery. Patients who were started on anticonvulsants preoperatively or postoperatively for seizures secondary to organic causes were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 933 patients underwent PTE from January 2012 to August 2017. 25 patients had TXA-related seizures postoperatively and were started on anticonvulsant therapy, giving an incidence of 2.7%. 15 patients were discharged from the CCU without anticonvulsants. A further three patients had their anticonvulsants deprescribed in the ward before being discharged from the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Deprescribing of anticonvulsants after benign seizures secondary to high-dose TXA is facilitated by verbal and written handover, which can be improved in our hospital. A detailed handover summary, as well as a discharge letter with clearly defined instructions for drug review, is needed to make deprescribing a more robust process.

Management of postoperative pain in maxillofacial surgery

In this review we describe the evidence base for postoperative analgesia after maxillofacial surgery. We discuss the implications of poorly managed pain, risk factors for the development of severe pain, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological analgesic strategies to manage it.

A prospective observational study of the impact of an electronic questionnaire (ePAQ-PO) on the duration of nurse-led pre-operative assessment and patient satisfaction

Objective

Standard pre-operative assessment at our institution involves a comprehensive history and examination by a nurse practitioner. An electronic pre-operative assessment questionnaire, ePAQ-PO® (ePAQ, Sheffield, UK) has previously been developed and validated. This study aimed to determine the impact of ePAQ-PO on nurse consultation times and patient satisfaction in low-risk patients.

Methods

The duration of pre-operative assessment consultation was recorded for American Society of Anesthesiology physical classification 1 and 2 patients undergoing pre-operative assessment by an electronic questionnaire (ePAQ-PO group) and standard face-to-face assessment by a nurse practitioner (standard group). Patients were also asked to complete an eight-item satisfaction questionnaire. Eighty-six patients were included (43 in each group).

Results

After adjusting for the duration of physical examination, median (IQR [min-max]) consultation time was longer in the standard compared to the ePAQ-PO group (25 (18–33 [10–49]) min vs. 12 (8–17 [4–45]) min, respectively; p <0.001). Response rate for the satisfaction questionnaire was 93%. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction scores (38/39 in standard group vs. 39/41 in ePAQ-PO group were fully satisfied with their pre-operative assessment; p = 0.494).

Conclusion

Pre-operative assessment using ePAQ-PO is associated with a significant reduction of over 50% in the duration of the assessment without impacting on patient satisfaction.