Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Study

Impact of automated alerts on discharge opioid overprescribing after general surgery.

Rizk E, Kaur N, Duong PY, et al. Impact of automated alerts on discharge opioid overprescribing after general surgery. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2024;Epub Jul 1. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxae185.

Save
Print
September 11, 2024
Rizk E, Kaur N, Duong PY, et al. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2024;Epub Jul 1.
View more articles from the same authors.

Overprescribing of opioids for acute pain (such as post-surgical pain) can increase the risk for long-term opioid dependence. This study evaluated whether implementation of an EHR alert reduced opioid overprescribing, defined as opioid prescribing exceeding current recommendations. Among a cohort of patients discharged after surgical procedures commonly associated with overprescribing (laparoscopic cholecystectomy, unilateral open inguinal hernia repair, and laparoscopic appendectomy), researchers identified a significant decrease in opioid overprescribing after the EHR alert implementation (48% pre-implementation to 3% post-implementation). Researchers also observed a significant decrease in the average opioid supply at discharge.

Save
Print
Cite
Citation

Rizk E, Kaur N, Duong PY, et al. Impact of automated alerts on discharge opioid overprescribing after general surgery. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2024;Epub Jul 1. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxae185.