Faculty Collaboration Database

The opioid reduction task force: using the ACHQC Data Registry to combat an epidemic in hernia patients. Hernia 2022 Jun;26(3):855-864

Date

01/19/2022

Pubmed ID

35039950

DOI

10.1007/s10029-021-02556-9

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85123090261 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   6 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Post-operative opioid prescriptions contribute to prolonged opioid misuse and abuse. Using a national hernia registry, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a data-driven educational intervention on surgeon prescribing behavior.

METHODS: After collecting opioid prescribing and patient consumption data from March 2019-December 2019 in inguinal and umbilical hernia repair, the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) Opioid Reduction Task Force presented data at a Quality Improvement (QI) Summit to educate surgeons on strategies to minimize opioid prescribing. Surgeons were asked to implement a multimodal pain management approach and were supported with educational tools created by the task force. Prescribing and consumption data after the summit, December 2019-March 2021, were then collected to assess the effectiveness of the QI effort.

RESULTS: Registry participation before and after the QI summit increased from 52 to 91 surgeons, with an increase of 353-830 umbilical hernia patients and 976-2447 inguinal hernia patients. After the summit, high (> 10 tablets) surgeon prescribers shifted toward low (≤ 10 tablets) prescribing. Yet, patients consumed less than what was prescribed, with a significant increase in patients consuming ≤ 10 tablets before and after the summit: 79-88% in umbilical hernia (p = 0.01) and 85-94% in inguinal hernia (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Following an educational QI summit by the ACHQC Opioid Reduction Task Force, high opioid prescribing has shifted toward low. However, patients consume less than prescribed, highlighting the importance of continuing this effort to reduce opioid prescribing.

Author List

Higgins RM, Petro CC, Warren J, Perez AJ, Dews T, Phillips S, Reinhorn M

Author

Rana Higgins MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Analgesics, Opioid
Hernia, Inguinal
Hernia, Umbilical
Herniorrhaphy
Humans
Pain, Postoperative
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Registries