Pharmacogenomics of GPCR Drug Targets.

Natural genetic variation in the human genome is a cause of individual differences in responses to medications and is an underappreciated burden on public health. Although 108 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the targets of 475 (∼34%) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and account for a global sales volume of over 180 billion US dollars annually, the prevalence of genetic variation among GPCRs targeted by drugs is unknown. By analyzing data from 68,496 individuals, we find that GPCRs targeted by drugs show genetic variation within functional regions such as drug- and effector-binding sites in the human population. We experimentally show that certain variants of µ-opioid and Cholecystokinin-A receptors could lead to altered or adverse drug response. By analyzing UK National Health Service drug prescription and sales data, we suggest that characterizing GPCR variants could increase prescription precision, improving patients' quality of life, and relieve the economic and societal burden due to variable drug responsiveness. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Advanced prescription of injectable anticancer drugs: Safety assessment in a European Comprehensive Cancer Centre using the risk matrix approach.

AIMS: The purpose of this work was to assess failures in the advanced prescription of parenteral anticancer agents in an adult day oncology care unit with more than 100 patients per day. METHODS: An a priori descriptive analysis was carried out by using the risk matrix approach. After defining the scope in a multidisciplinary meeting, we determined at each step the failure modes (FMs), their effects (E) and their associated causes (C). A severity score (S) was assigned to all effects and a probability of occurrence (O) to all causes. These S and O indicators, were used to obtain a criticality index (CI) matrix. We assessed the risk control (RC) of each failure in order to define a residual criticality index (rCI) matrix. RESULTS: During risk analysis, 14 FMs were detected, and 61 scenarios were identified considering all possible effects and causes. Nine situations (15%) were highlighted with the maximum CI, 18 (30%) with a medium CI, and 34 (55%) with a negligible CI. Nevertheless, among all these critical situations, only three (5%) had an rCI to process (i.e., missed dose adjustment, multiple prescriptions and abnormal biology data); the others required monitoring only. Clinicians' and pharmacists' knowledge of these critical situations enables them to manage the associated risks. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced prescription of injectable anticancer drugs appears to be a safe practice for patients when combined with risk management. The major risks identified concerned missed dose adjustment, prescription duplication and lack of consideration for abnormal biology data.

Antibiotic prescribing practices and antibiotic use quality indicators in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR: a point prevalence survey in a tertiary care hospital.

CONTEXT: The increase and global dissemination of antibiotic resistance limit the use of antibiotics to prevent and treat infections. Implementing antibiotic stewardship programs guided by local data on prescription profiles is a useful strategy to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance. The aim was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic use and guideline compliance at Luang Prabang provincial hospital, Lao PDR. METHODS: A point prevalence survey of antibiotics was conducted among hospitalized patients admitted to Luang Prabang hospital (204 beds) in Lao PDR on May 25, 2023. All patients presenting at 8:00 AM were eligible. Sociodemographic data, indications for antibiotic use, and antibiotic prescriptions were collected from medical records using a paper-based questionnaire and entered into an electronic platform following WHO methodology. The prevalence of antibiotic use was determined. RESULTS: Out of the 102 patients included, 60(58.8%) were undergoing antibiotic treatment, of which 33(55.0%) received combination therapy, and 7(10.5%) had two indications for antibiotic use. The highest prevalence was in the surgical ward (14/15, 93%) followed by general paediatrics (18/27, 67%). Out of the 100 antibiotic prescriptions, 47(47%) were for community-acquired infections, 26(26%) for surgical prophylaxis, 13(13%) for hospital-acquired infections and 5(5%) for medical prophylaxis. Twenty(20%) antibiotics were prescribed for obstetrics and gynaecology prophylaxis, 17(17%) for intra-abdominal infections, and 10(10.0%) for pneumonia treatment as well as bone, and joint infections. The main antibiotics prescribed were ceftriaxone 36(34.6%), metronidazole 18(17.3%), ampicillin 8(7.7%), and gentamicin 8(7.7%). Only 2(3%) samples were sent to the laboratory, one of which showed a positive culture for Escherichia coli Extended Spectrum ß-Lactamase. According to the WHO Access Watch and Reserve classification, 55(52.9%) molecules belonged to the Access category, 47(49.1%) to the Watch category, and none to the Reserve category. Only 14.9% of antibiotic prescriptions were fully compliant with current guidelines. CONCLUSION: This study indicated a significant prevalence of antibiotic use and a very low compliance with guidelines at Luang Prabang provincial hospital, Lao PDR. This highlights an urgent need for comprehensive strategies at all levels to optimize antibiotic use in hospitals, emphasizing diagnostic improvements, and continued research to address the factors driving this excessive antibiotic usage and improve adherence to guidelines.

The effect of education regarding treatment guidelines for schizophrenia and major depressive disorders on psychiatrists' hypnotic medication prescribing behavior: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: To examine whether the "Effectiveness of Guideline for Dissemination and Education in psychiatric treatment (EGIUDE)" project affects the rate of prescriptions of hypnotic medication and the type of hypnotic medications prescribed among psychiatrists, for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder in Japan. METHODS: The EGUIDE project is a nationwide prospective study of evidence-based clinical guidelines for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder in Japan. From 2016 to 2021, clinical and prescribing data from patients discharged from hospitals participating in the EGUIDE project were used to examine hypnotic medication prescriptions The prescribing rate of hypnotics and the prescribing rate of each type of hypnotic (benzodiazepine receptor agonist, nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonist, melatonin receptor agonist, and orexin receptor antagonist) were compared among patients who had been prescribed medication by psychiatrists participating in the EGUIDE project and patients who had been prescribed medication by nonparticipating psychiatrists. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effect of the EGUIDE project on the prescription of hypnotic medications. RESULTS: A total of 12,161 patients with schizophrenia and 6,167 patients with major depressive disorder were included. Psychiatrists participating in the EGUIDE project significantly reduced the rate of prescribing hypnotic medication and benzodiazepine receptor agonists for both schizophrenia (P < 0.001) and major depressive disorder (P < 0.001) patients. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate the educational effects of guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders on psychiatrists in terms of prescribing hypnotic medications to patients. The EGUIDE project may play an important role in reducing hypnotic medication prescription rates, particularly with respect to benzodiazepine receptor agonists. The results suggest that the EGUIDE project may result in improved therapeutic behavior.

Trend in antibiotic prescription at pediatric primary emergency medical centers in Japan: A multi-center, cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue, and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in outpatient settings is crucial. Japan has also focused on outpatient oral antimicrobial stewardship programs and difficulties in standardizing prescriptions have led to overprescription in primary emergency medical centers. There is a lack of research investigating the antibiotic prescription status of pediatric primary emergency medical centers and the benchmark prescription rates in pediatric outpatient settings. METHODS: We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study of seven pediatric primary emergency medical centers located in five prefectures of Japan. We retrospectively extracted data from health claims or directly obtained them from charts at each institution and evaluated trends in the antibiotic prescription rate based on the AWaRe classification between April 2016 and December 2019. RESULTS: Our study included 383,525 encounters, with the most common infectious disease diagnosis being acute upper respiratory tract infection in 93,449 cases (24.4 %). The antibiotic prescription rate during the study period was 7.4 %, representing a decrease of 46 %, from 10.2 % in 2016 to 5.5 % in 2019. The percentage of prescriptions in the Access group increased at all institutions; however, it exceeded 60 % in only three facilities in 2019. The percentage of third-generation cephalosporins varied among facilities, ranging from 1.7 % to 59.4 %, as of 2019. CONCLUSIONS: For pediatric primary emergency medical centers where antimicrobial stewardship programs are implemented, we suggest 5 % as a reasonable benchmark level for the antibiotic prescription rate. Prescribing the antibiotics in the Access groups less frequently remains a domestic challenge in Japan.

Reducing opioid prescribing after ambulatory breast reconstruction surgery.

BACKGROUND: The lack of evidence-based guidelines for postoperative opioid prescriptions following breast reconstruction contributes to a wide variation in prescribing practices and increases potential for misuse and abuse. METHODS: Between August and December 2019, women who underwent outpatient breast reconstruction were surveyed 7-10 days before (n = 97) and after (n = 101) implementing a standardized opioid prescription reduction initiative. We compared postoperative opioid use, pain control, and refills in both groups. Patient reported outcomes were compared using the BREAST-Q physical wellbeing of the chest domain and a novel symptom Recovery Tracker. RESULTS: Before changes in prescriptions, patients were prescribed a median of 30 pills and consumed three pills (interquartile range [IQR: 1,9]). After standardization, patients were prescribed eight pills and consumed three pills (IQR: 1,6). There was no evidence of a difference in the proportion of patients experiencing moderate to very severe pain on the Recovery Tracker or in the early BREAST-Q physical wellbeing of the chest scores (p = 0.8 and 0.3, respectively). CONCLUSION: Standardizing and reducing opioid prescriptions for patients undergoing reconstructive breast surgery is feasible and can significantly decrease the number of excess pills prescribed. The was no adverse impact on early physical wellbeing, although larger studies are needed to obtain further data.

Predicting high-risk opioid prescriptions before they are given.

Misuse of prescription opioids is a leading cause of premature death in the United States. We use state government administrative data and machine learning methods to examine whether the risk of future opioid dependence, abuse, or poisoning can be predicted in advance of an initial opioid prescription. Our models accurately predict these outcomes and identify particular prior nonopioid prescriptions, medical history, incarceration, and demographics as strong predictors. Using our estimates, we simulate a hypothetical policy which restricts new opioid prescriptions to only those with low predicted risk. The policy's potential benefits likely outweigh costs across demographic subgroups, even for lenient definitions of "high risk." Our findings suggest new avenues for prevention using state administrative data, which could aid providers in making better, data-informed decisions when weighing the medical benefits of opioid therapy against the risks.

Removal of pregnancy categories and likelihood of prescribing: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree to which removal of FDA' Pregnancy Categories (PC) of medications (A, B, C, and D) from labeling, affects the likelihood that providers will prescribe those medications. METHODS: Over a one-year period a convenience sample of providers was recruited into a randomized, survey-based, study. Two versions of the survey were randomly distributed; version 1 presented clinical vignettes, drug information, and PC, while version 2, presented the identical information without the PC. Respondents were asked to estimate their likelihood of prescribing the drug. A mixed linear model was constructed, with likelihood of prescription as the dependent variable, treated as interval-scaled. RESULTS: Out of 169 surveys given out, 162 (96%) were returned. Simple effects analysis showed that the presence of PC letter significantly affected the decision to prescribe category B (p<0.001) and C drugs (p=0.008) but not the A or D. Participants were significantly less likely to prescribe class B and C drugs when the letters were not available for review. These findings remained significant even when controlling for covariates (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When a PC letter is absent on labeling, physicians were less likely to use category B and C drugs, the most common medications prescribed in pregnancy.

Persistent Opioid Use After Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Prescription opioids are a major contributor to the ongoing epidemic of persistent opioid use (POU). The incidence of POU among opioid-naïve patients after cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures is unknown. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from a national administrative claims database from 2004 to 2018 of patients undergoing CIED procedures. Adult patients were included if they were opioid-naïve during the 180-day period before the procedure and did not undergo another procedure with anesthesia in the next 180 days. POU was defined by filling an additional opioid prescription >30 days after the CIED procedure. RESULTS: Of the 143 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 15 316 (11%) filled an opioid prescription within 14 days of surgery. Among these patients, POU occurred in 1901 (12.4%) patients 30 to 180 days after surgery. The likelihood of developing POU was increased for patients who had a history of drug abuse (odds ratio, 1.52; P=0.005), preoperative muscle relaxant (odds ratio, 1.52; P<0.001) or benzodiazepine (odds ratio, 1.23; P=0.001) use, or opioid use in the previous 5 years (OR, 1.76; P<0.0001). POU did not differ after subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator or other CIED procedures (11.1 versus 12.4%; P=0.5). In a sensitivity analysis excluding high-risk patients who were discharged to a facility or who had a history of drug abuse or previous opioid, benzodiazepine, or muscle relaxant use, 8.9% of the remaining cohort had POU. Patients prescribed >135 mg of oral morphine equivalents had a significantly increased risk of POU. CONCLUSIONS: POU is common after CIED procedures, and 12% of patients continued to use opioids >30 days after surgery. Higher initially prescribed oral morphine equivalent doses were associated with developing POU.

Prevalence and Appropriateness of Antipsychotic Prescribing in an Italian Prison: Is Everything Always Really Overprescribed?

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of mental disorders in prisoners is known to be higher than in the general population, less is known about the antipsychotic (AP) prescribing rate in jail. The aim of this research was to investigate prevalence and appropriateness of AP prescription in an Italian prison to expand our understanding on this crucial area of clinical-forensic practice. METHODS/PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional (census day) design was used among male adults in the Parma Penitentiary Institutes (PPI). Sociodemographic, clinical and prescription data were collected from the PPI electronic clinical database management system. The AP prescribing appropriateness was examined in accordance with the therapeutic indications included in the Italian National Formulary. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. FINDINGS/RESULTS: A total of 98 (14.1%) of 696 PPI prisoners were taking AP medications. Moreover, 90 (91.8%) of the 98 PPI participants were also taking other psychotropic medications concurrently. Quetiapine and olanzapine were the most common prescribed APs. Antipsychotic medications were most likely to be prescribed for off-label indications (74.4%). Less than one fifth of all AP prescriptions were for psychotic disorders. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic medications are widely used in prison, often together with other psychotropic drugs. Considering their common adverse effects, it is crucial to longitudinally monitor their potential risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, and extrapyramidal symptoms and signs, as well as their early risk of mortality. Given the high prevalence of AP off-label prescription, the rationale for AP prescribing should be clearly documented and regularly reviewed within the prison by mental health professionals.

Opioids and Public Health: The Prescription Opioid Ecosystem and Need for Improved Management.

While U.S. opioid prescribing has decreased 38% in the past decade, opioid deaths have increased 300%. This opioid paradox is poorly recognized. Current approaches to opioid management are not working, and new approaches are needed. This article reviews the outcomes and shortcomings of recent U.S. opioid policies and strategies that focus primarily or exclusively on reducing or eliminating opioid prescribing. It introduces concepts of a prescription opioid ecosystem and opioid pool, and it discusses how the pool can be influenced by supply-side, demand-side, and opioid returns factors. It illuminates pressing policy needs for an opioid ecosystem that enables proper opioid stewardship, identifies associated responsibilities, and emphasizes the necessity of making opioid returns as easy and common as opioid prescribing, in order to minimize the size of the opioid pool available for potential diversion, misuse, overdose, and death. Approaches are applicable to opioid prescribing in general, and to opioid prescribing after surgery.

Assessing local California trends in emergency physician opioid prescriptions from 2012 to 2020: Experiences in a large academic health system.

OBJECTIVES: There has been increased focus nationally on limiting opioid prescriptions. National data demonstrates a decrease in annual opioid prescriptions among emergency medicine physicians. We analyzed data from 2012 to 2020 from a large academic health system in California to understand trends in opioid prescribing patterns for emergency department (ED) discharged patients and assessed the potential impact of two initiatives at limiting local opioid prescriptions. METHODS: In 2012-2020, monthly ED visit data was used to evaluate the total number of outpatient opioid prescriptions and percent of ED visits with opioid prescriptions (as primary outcomes). Descriptive statistics, graphic representation, and segmented regression with interrupted times series were used based on two prespecified time points associated with intensive local initiatives directed at limiting opioid prescribing1) comprehensive emergency medicine resident education and 2) electronic health record (EHR)-based intervention. RESULTS: Between March 2012 and July 2020, a total of 41,491 ED discharged patients received an opioid prescription. The three most commonly prescribed drugs were hydrocodone (84.1%), oxycodone (10.8%), and codeine (2.8%). After implementing comprehensive emergency medicine resident education, the total number of opioid prescriptions, the percentage of opioid prescriptions over total ED visit numbers and the total tablet number showed decreasing trends (p's ≤ 0.01), in addition to the natural (pre-intervention) decreasing trends. In contrast, later interventions in the EHR tended to show attenuated decreasing trends. CONCLUSIONS: From 2012 to 2020, we found that total opioid prescriptions decreased significantly for discharged ED patients. This trend is seen nationally. However, our specific interventions further heightened this downward trend. Evidence-based legislation, policy changes, and educational initiatives that impact prescribing practices should guide future efforts.

The Opioid Epidemic: Crisis and Solutions.

The widespread abuse of prescription opioids and a dramatic increase in the availability of illicit opioids have created what is commonly referred to as the opioid epidemic. The magnitude of this epidemic is startling: About 4% of the adult US population misuses prescription opioids, and in 2015, more than 33,000 deaths were attributable to overdose with licit and illicit opioids. Increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatments (such as buprenorphine and naltrexone), the use of abuse-deterrent formulations, and the adoption of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescribing guidelines all constitute short-term approaches to quell this epidemic. However, with more than 125 million Americans suffering from either acute or chronic pain, the development of effective alternatives to opioids, enabled at least in part by a fuller understanding of the neurobiological bases of pain, offers the best long-term solution for controlling and ultimately eradicating this epidemic.

Changes in Opioid Prescribing Following the Implementation of State Policies Limiting Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose in a Commercially Insured Population.

BACKGROUND: Prescription opioid mortality doubled 2002-2016 in the United States. Given the association between high-dose opioid prescribing and opioid mortality, several states have enacted morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) policies to limit high-dose prescribing. The study objective is to evaluate the impact of state-level MEDD policies on opioid prescribing among the privately insured. METHODS: Claims data, 2010-2015 from 9 policy states and 2 control states and a comparative interrupted time series design were utilized. Primary outcomes were any monthly opioid use and average monthly MEDD. Stratified analyses evaluated theorized weaker policies (guidelines) and theorized stronger policies (passive alert systems, legislative acts, and rules/regulations) separately. Patient groups explicitly excluded from policies (eg, individuals with cancer diagnoses or receiving hospice care) were also examined separately. Analyses adjusted for covariates, state fixed effects, and time trends. RESULTS: Both guideline and strong policy implementation were both associated with 15% lower odds of any opioid use, relative to control states. However, there was no statistically significant change in the use of high-dose opioids in policy states relative to control states. There was also no difference in direction and significance of the relationship among targeted patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: MEDD policies were associated with decreased use of any opioids relative to control states, but no change in high-dose prescribing was observed. While the overall policy environment in treatment states may have discouraged opioid prescribing, there was no evidence of MEDD policy impact, specifically. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which MEDD policies may influence prescribing behavior.

Association Between State Policies on Improving Opioid Prescribing in 2 States and Opioid Overdose Rates Among Reproductive-aged Women.

BACKGROUND: The opioid overdose epidemic has been declared a public health emergency. Women are more likely than men to be prescribed opioid medications. Some states have adopted policies to improve opioid prescribing, including prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and pain clinic laws. OBJECTIVE: Among reproductive-aged women, we examined the association of mandatory use laws for PDMPs in Kentucky (concurrent with a pain clinic law) and New York with overdose involving prescription opioids or heroin and opioid use disorder (OUD). STUDY DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND OUTCOME MEASURES: We conducted interrupted time series analyses estimating outcome changes after policy implementation in Kentucky and New York, compared with geographically close states without these policies (comparison states), using 2010-2014 State Inpatient and State Emergency Department Databases. Outcomes included rates of inpatient discharges and emergency department visits for overdoses involving prescription opioids or heroin and OUD among reproductive-aged women. RESULTS: Relative to comparison states, following Kentucky's policy change, we found an immediate postpolicy decrease and a decreasing trend in the rate of overdoses involving prescription opioids, an immediate postpolicy increase in the rate of overdoses involving heroin, and a decreasing trend in the OUD rate (P<0.01); New York's policy change was not associated with the assessed outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PDMPs and pain clinic laws, such as those implemented in Kentucky, may be promising strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of high-risk opioid prescribing among reproductive-aged women. As states continue efforts to improve inappropriate opioid prescribing, similar strategies as those adopted in Kentucky merit consideration.

Control of antimicrobial resistance in Cameroon: Feasibility of implementing the National Action Plan.

OBJECTIVES: Rising antimicrobial resistance is a major threat worldwide. WHO has developed a Global Action Plan and has urged all countries to develop and implement a National Action Plan. We analysed the implementation of the Cameroon National Action Plan by identifying the prioritised activities and assessing possible challenges which could limit implementation. METHODS: We conducted a review of national documents on the control of antimicrobial resistance, including regulations, policies and guidelines and assessed the health system structure. Publications and other supporting documents were obtained by a systematic literature search. We applied the policy analysis triangle framework and the theory of change to analyse the National Action Plan, actors involved and the process of implementation. RESULTS: The National Action Plan consisted of six strategic objectives, with the first five being a direct translation of the five pillars of the Global Action Plan. The related activities were to be implemented using a phased approach with allocated targets for each year. Several gaps were identified. There was no timeline of activities set per year, the chronology of activities was not consistent, there were no activities or objectives to ensure the sustainability of the National Action Plan like creating awareness on antimicrobial resistance and the indicators for impact evaluation were not included. Among the actors involved, the Ministry of Public Health had the highest interest in the implementation as the lead stakeholder to oversee the overall implementation. However, there was no clear source of funding, and stakeholders at the primary level of the various sectors responsible for implementation were not clearly defined. CONCLUSION: Despite adequate multisectoral collaboration within the prioritised activities relevant to Cameroon, more is needed for effective implementation of the National Action Plan. The timeline of the different activities, as well as the involvement of key stakeholders at the primary level, needs to be improved. The government's overall commitment to healthcare should be increased and implementation of an action plan should commence at the district or regional level, while challenges in mobilising the necessary funds need to be overcome.

Development of a Practice Guideline for Discharge Opioid Prescribing After Major Colorectal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Better alignment of opioid prescription quantities with patient need could help reduce excessive prescribing. OBJECTIVE: The study sought to develop an institutional prescribing guideline based on defined opioid consumption patterns after inpatient colorectal operations. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a single tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent elective major colorectal procedures between July 2018 and January 2019 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The study measured prescription and consumption quantities measured as equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills. RESULTS: Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on consumption in the 24-hour period before discharge: tier 1 consumed 0 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills (n = 53), tier 2 consumed 0.1 to 3.0 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills (n = 25), and tier 3 consumed >3.0 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills (n = 22). Average prescription quantity was 17.5 ± 10.5 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills (range, 0-78). Patients consumed a mean of 6.7 ± 10.9 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills after discharge and had 10.8 ± 10.2 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pill excess, whereas 51% of patients consumed no pills. Opioid consumption was significantly different between each tier (p < 0.001). A prescribing guideline was developed to satisfy the majority of patients: 0 equianalgesic oxycodone 5-mg pills if tier 1, 12 pills if tier 2, and 30 pills if tier 3. Tiered guideline adoption could reduce prescribed pills by 45% and excess pills per prescription by 73%. Patient history of IBD was independently associated with increased odds of exceeding the guideline (adjusted OR = 7.2 (95% CI, 1.6-32.6)). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its single-center, retrospective design and that outpatient opioid consumption was self-reported. CONCLUSIONS: Following hospital discharge after major colorectal surgery, more than half of patients consumed no opioid pills, and 62% of prescribed opioids were in excess. Outpatient opioid consumption was highly associated with inpatient opioid use in the 24 hours before discharge. Prospective validation of this prescribing guideline is needed, but adoption could reduce excessive prescribing. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B575. DESARROLLO DE UNA GUA PRCTICA PARA LA PRESCRIPCIN DE OPIOIDES AL EGRESO DESPUS DE UNA CIRUGA COLORRECTAL MAYOR: ANTECEDENTES:Una mejor alineación de las cantidades de prescripción de opioides con las necesidades del paciente podría ayudar a reducir la prescripción excesiva.OBJETIVO:El estudio buscó desarrollar una guía institucional de prescripción basada en patrones definidos de consumo de opioides luego de cirugías colorrectales hospitalarias.DISEÑO:Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.ENTORNO CLÍNICO:El estudio se llevó a cabo en un solo centro de atención terciaria.PACIENTES:Pacientes que se sometieron a procedimientos colorrectales mayores electivos entre julio de 2018 y enero de 2019.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El estudio midió las cantidades de prescripción y consumo medidas como píldoras de 5 mg de oxicodona equianalgésica (EOP).RESULTADOS:Los pacientes se clasificaron en tres grupos según el consumo en el período de 24 horas antes del egreso: el nivel 1 consumió 0 EOP (n = 53), el nivel 2 consumió 0,1-3 EOP (n = 25) y el nivel 3 consumió más de 3 EOP (n = 22). La cantidad promedio de prescripción fue 17,5 (± 10,5) EOP (rango: 0-78). Los pacientes consumieron una media de 6,7 (± 10,9) EOP posterior al egreso y tuvieron un exceso de 10,8 (± 10,2) EOP, mientras que el 51% de los pacientes no consumieron píldoras. El consumo de opioides fue significativamente diferente entre cada nivel (p <0,001). Se desarrolló una guía de prescripción para satisfacer a la mayoría de los pacientes: 0 EOP del nivel 1, 12 EOP del nivel 2 y 30 EOP del nivel 3. La adquisición de una guía escalonada podría reducir las píldoras recetadas en un 45% y el exceso de píldoras por receta en un 73%. El historial del paciente de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal se asoció de forma independiente con un aumento de las probabilidades de superar la guía (ORa 7,2; IC del 95%: 1,6-32,6).LIMITACIONES:El estudio estuvo limitado por su diseño retrospectivo de un solo centro y por el consumo de opioides del paciente ambulatorio el cual fue autoinformado.CONCLUSIONES:Tras el egreso hospitalario de una cirugía colorrectal mayor, más de la mitad de los pacientes no consumieron pastillas opioides y el 62% de los opioides prescritos estaban en exceso. El consumo de opioides como paciente ambulatorio estuvo altamente asociado con el uso de opioides como paciente hospitalizado en las 24 horas previas al egreso. Se necesita una validación prospectiva de esta guía de prescripción, pero la adopción podría reducir la prescripción excesiva. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B575.

Standardizing Discharge Opioid Prescriptions in Kidney Transplant Patients Decreases Opioid Usage.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients are frequently prescribed excess opioids at discharge relative to their inpatient requirements. Recipients who fill prescriptions after transplant have an increased risk of death and graft loss. This study examined the impact of standardized prescriptions on discharge amount and number of outpatient refills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A historical cohort (Group 1) was compared to a cohort without patient-controlled analgesia (Group 2) and a cohort in which providers prescribed no opioids to patients who required none on the day prior to discharge, and 10 pills to those who required opioids on the day prior (Group 3). Demographics, oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) prescribed on the day prior to and at discharge, and outpatient refills were collected. RESULTS: 270 recipients were included. There was a nonsignificant trend towards lower OMEs on the day prior to discharge in Groups 2 and 3. Nonopioid adjunct use increased (P < 0.001). Discharge OMEs significantly decreased (mean 87.2 in Group 1, 62.8 in Group 2, 26.6 in Group 3, P< 0.001). The number of patients discharged without opioids increased (23.8% of Group 1, 37.5% of Group 2, 60.6% of Group 3, P < 0.001). Group 3, Asian descent, and lower OMEs on the day prior were factors significantly associated with decreased discharge OMEs on multivariable linear regression. Twelve percent of Group 2 and 2% of Group 3 patients received an outpatient refill (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A protocol targeting discharge opioids significantly reduced the amount of opioids prescribed in kidney transplant recipients; most patients subsequently received no opioids at discharge.

Postoperative Opioid Prescription and Use After Outpatient Vascular Access Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Larger opioid prescriptions are associated with increased consumption without improvements in pain, and the majority of opioids prescribed go unused. We examined postoperative opioid prescription and use in patients undergoing vascular access surgery, where preoperative opioid exposure is common. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in adult CKD patients who underwent outpatient vascular access surgery. Patients were surveyed by telephone >2 weeks after surgery to assess pain level and opioid and non-opioid medication use. RESULTS: Of 117 patients contacted, 76 responded (65% response rate), with a median (interquartile range) age of 56 (42-69) years. Sixty-three patients (83%) were prescribed an opioid postoperatively. Respondents were prescribed 60 (38-75) oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) and consumed 0 (0-15) OMEs over 1 day with a pain score of 5 out of 10. Thirty-nine patients (>50%) used no opioids. There were no differences in postoperative opioid prescribing or use in patients with recent opioid exposure compared to patients without. Patients who underwent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation (short surgical incision procedure) were prescribed 60 (38-75) OMEs, compared with 75 (56-111) OMEs for patients who underwent AVF superficialization, AVG, or BVT (long surgical incision procedure; P < 0.01) and consumed 0 (0-15) OMEs compared with 10 (0-43) OMEs, respectively (P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Regardless of preoperative opioid exposure, CKD patients undergoing vascular access surgery consumed fewer opioids than prescribed, with a median of <10% of opioids used. Therefore, we've reduced our institutional prescribing recommendations to 4 and 6 oxycodone 5mg pills for short and long surgical incision procedures, respectively.

A Multifaceted Approach to Opioid Education, Prescribing, and Disposal for Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Standardized prescribing practices are recommended to decrease opioid abuse, however, data regarding the handling and disposal of leftover narcotics are lacking. This quality improvement project and analysis evaluated implementation of standardized prescribing, opioid education, and a narcotic disposal system. METHODS: This initiative was implemented over a 1-y period among patients who underwent breast surgery. The project included the following: 1) implementation of standardized prescribing, 2) voluntary and anonymous survey analysis, and 3) preoperative education regarding risks of opioids, charcoal disposal bag distribution, and follow-up survey to assess use and use of intervention. RESULTS: Preintervention surveys were completed by 53 patients, and 60% (n = 32) underwent lumpectomy. Narcotic prescriptions were filled by 90%; median number of pills taken was 3 (range 0-24), however 93% felt that a non-narcotic was more effective. Eighty three percentage of patients had unused pills, and 58% kept these pills in an unlocked cabinet. Postintervention surveys were completed by 66 patients, and 48% (n = 32) underwent lumpectomy. Narcotic prescriptions were filled by 88%, median number of pills taken was 4 (range 0-40), and 89% of patients had pills leftover. Sixty seven percentage of patients found the education handout useful and charcoal bag use was reported by 37% (n = 17). The median postoperative pain control satisfaction score was 4.5 (5-point Likert scale, 1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied) on both preintervention and postintervention surveys. CONCLUSIONS: This study, which included standardized prescribing parameters, opioid education, and implementation of a disposal method, was found to be feasible, beneficial, and did not compromise postoperative pain control.