Journal article

Post-discharge opioid use and handling in surgical patients: A multicentre prospective cohort study

ML Allen, CC Kim, S Braat, K Jones, N Winter, TR Hucker, A Chia, C Lang, SL Brooks, DL Williams

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD | Published : 2020

Abstract

Our aim was to determine the frequency and characteristics of post-surgery prescription of opioid medication and to describe patients’ handling of discharge opioid medications. We performed a multicentre prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery with a postoperative stay of one or more nights, with phone follow-up at two weeks after hospital discharge. The main outcome measures included the proportion of patients prescribed discharge opioid medications, post-discharge opioid use, opioid storage and disposal. Of the 1450 eligible surgical patients, opioids were dispensed on discharge to 858 (59%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (57%–62%)), with immediate..

View full abstract