A study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the trends in post-surgery pain relief prescriptions over the past seven years, with a focus on opioids.
The research examines the rate and amount of opioid prescriptions given to surgical patients and explores how these trends have evolved over time.
From 2016 to the end of 2022, there was a 36% reduction in the rate of surgery-related opioid prescriptions. Simultaneously, the average amount of opioids in these prescriptions decreased by 46%.
This combined reduction resulted in a 66% decrease in the total amount of opioids dispensed to surgical patients by late 2022 compared to early 2016.
The study notes that the rate of decline in opioid prescriptions was faster before 2020, suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on these trends.
Even when considering the disruptions in elective surgeries during the early months of the pandemic, the decline in opioid prescribing slowed down after 2020.
Despite the overall reductions, patients undergoing surgery in late 2022 still received an average equivalent of 44 5-milligram pills of hydrocodone from pharmacies after their operations. This amount is significantly higher than what is typically required for most surgical procedures.
The study found variations among different types of surgeons in terms of opioid prescriptions. Some specialties, such as cardiothoracic surgery and ophthalmology, saw significant reductions in the amount of opioids dispensed to patients.
However, orthopedic surgeons remained the largest prescribers of surgical opioids, even though their prescription rates and sizes decreased.
The authors emphasize that the goal should not be to eliminate opioid prescribing altogether but to ensure that opioids are prescribed only when necessary and in appropriate quantities.
This approach aims to reduce the risks of opioid misuse, persistent opioid use, and the diversion of pills to unintended recipients.
Besides addressing opioid prescribing, the study highlights the importance of non-opioid pain management methods for surgical patients.
These approaches not only reduce the risk of opioid-related issues but also consider potential interactions with other substances and accidental exposure to opioids within households.
The study provides insights into the changing landscape of surgical opioid prescriptions, with a focus on reducing unnecessary opioid use while ensuring adequate pain management for patients undergoing surgery.
Efforts to right-size opioid prescriptions and emphasize non-opioid pain care remain important considerations for healthcare providers and policymakers.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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