A survey study assessing prescribers’ opioid tapering instructions to patients after orthopedic surgery

William Chan; Samuel Schuessler; Steven Magid; Seth Waldman; Roberta Stack; Alexandra Sideris

doi:10.5055/jom.0919

Authors

William Chan, MEng
Samuel Schuessler, MHA
Steven Magid, MD
Seth Waldman, MD
Roberta Stack, MS
Alexandra Sideris, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.0919

Keywords:

opioid tapering, orthopedic surgery, refill prescriptions, survey

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this institutional survey study was to assess the opioid tapering practices of prescribers responsible for writing post-discharge opioid refills.

Design: A prospective, cross-sectional survey study.

Setting: Urban hospital specializing in orthopedic surgery.

Participants: Participants were identified from the hospital’s active directory. Out of 251 questionnaires distributed, 88 were returned and evaluated; 60 percent were surgeons and 34 percent were physician assistants.

Intervention: An anonymous, voluntary eight-item survey was devised to capture information on tapering instructions from prescribers of post-discharge opioids.

Main outcome measures: Survey responses categorized by role and primary service.

Results: All prescribers (N = 47) provide tapering instructions; 87 percent provide general, while 9 percent provide detailed plans. Most (94 percent) prescribers discuss tapering via phone calls or during office visits, and 6 percent provide written instructions.

Conclusions: Few prescribers provide detailed tapering instructions. Providers may not feel equipped to provide specific tapering plans.

Author Biographies

William Chan, MEng

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York

Samuel Schuessler, MHA

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management; Pain Prevention Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York

Steven Magid, MD

Department of Rheumatology, IT, Hospital for Special Surgery; Department of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York

Seth Waldman, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery; Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York

Roberta Stack, MS

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management; Pain Prevention Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York

Alexandra Sideris, PhD

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management; Pain Prevention Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery; Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine; HSS Research Institute, New York, New York

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