Clinical Report: Tracking Opioid Refills After Surgery
Overview
Revise to clarify the study's focus on inpatient otolaryngology and the implications of discharge prescribing on refill rates.
Background
Incorporate specific statistics from the study to illustrate the challenges in opioid management.
Data Highlights
| Time Interval | Refill Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 30 days | 25.3 |
| 31 to 60 days | 13.7 |
| 61 to 90 days | 13.0 |
Key Findings
- 25.3% of patients received an opioid refill within 30 days of discharge.
- Both underprescription and overprescription of opioids at discharge increased refill risk within 30 days.
- Preoperative opioid use was associated with increased refill risk across all postdischarge intervals.
- Higher postoperative pain scores correlated with refills within 30 days.
- Receipt of a prior refill was the strongest predictor of subsequent refills.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should carefully align discharge opioid prescriptions with patients' inpatient opioid consumption to minimize refill rates. Monitoring preoperative medication use can also help identify patients at higher risk for opioid refills.
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of tailored opioid prescribing practices to reduce the risk of postoperative refills and potential long-term opioid use.
Related Resources & Content
- Lingyi Zhang, MD, et al., JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2025 -- Independent Factors Associated With Opioid Refills After Inpatient Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chronic Opioid Use Reduced by Limiting Prescribed Opioids After Surgery
- Conexiant, Half Avoid Opioids After Colorectal Surgery
- Pain Medicine, Identifying factors associated with persistent opioid use after total joint arthroplasty: a retrospective review
- CDC, Initiating Opioid Therapy | Overdose Prevention
- the asco post — Surgery for Early-Stage Cancer and Opioid Use
- Michigan OPEN – Prescribing 2025
- Initiating Opioid Therapy | Overdose Prevention | CDC
- Independent Factors Associated With Opioid Refills After Inpatient Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery | JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | JAMA Network
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