Trial of the Patient-Centered 2 × 24-Hour Predischarge Opioid Consumption Opioid Prescribing Guideline.

This diagnostic/prognostic study evaluates the 2 × 24-hour predischarge opioid consumption guideline for opioid prescribing.

Evaluating a health system-wide opioid disposal intervention distributing home-disposal bags.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a health system-wide intervention distributing free home-disposal bags to surgery patients prescribed opioids. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: We collected patient surveys and electronic medical record data at an academic health system. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective observational study. The bags were primarily distributed at pharmacies, though pharmacists delivered bags to some patients. The primary outcome was disposal of leftover opioids (effectiveness). Secondary outcomes were patient willingness to dispose and factors associated with disposal (effectiveness), recalling receipt of the bag (reach), and recalling receipt of bags and disposal over time (maintenance). We used a modified Poisson regression to evaluate the relative risk of disposal. Inverse probability of treatment weighting, based on propensity scores, was used to account for differences between survey responders and non-responders and reduce nonresponse bias. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: From August 2020 to May 2021, we surveyed patients 2 weeks after discharge (allowing for home opioid use). Eligibility criteria were age ≥18, English being primary language, valid email address, hospitalization ≤30 days, discharge home, and an opioid prescription sent to a system pharmacy. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We identified 5134 patients with 2174 completing the survey (response rate 42.3%). Among respondents, 1375 (63.8%) recalled receiving the disposal bag. Among 1075 respondents with leftover opioids, 284 (26.4%) disposed, 552 (51.3%) planned to dispose, 79 (7.4%) did not plan to dispose, 69 (6.4%) had undecided, and 91 (8.5%) had not considered disposal. Recalling receipt of the bag (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.37) was positively associated with disposal. Patients who used opioids in the last year were less likely to dispose (IRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.93). Disposal rates remained stable over the study period while recalling receipt of bags trended up. CONCLUSIONS: A pragmatic implementation of a disposal intervention resulted in lower disposal rates than prior trials.

Overstuffing the patellofemoral compartment in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Purpose: To systematically review and analyze the data available in the literature to evaluate the role of patellofemoral overstuffing in affecting clinical outcomes following primary total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Only studies including primary total knee arthroplasty in the setting of osteoarthritis with a quantifiable method of measuring patellofemoral overstuffing using pre- and post-operative x-rays or advanced imaging, as well as reported subjective and/or objective patient outcomes in relation to patellofemoral overstuffing were included. Extracted data included patellofemoral overstuffing quantitative measurement method, outcome measurements, follow-up, patient demographics, author, and publication details. Descriptive analysis was provided for the available literature. Results: There were six included articles with a total of 2325 TKAs assessed. All papers found no significant effect on clinical outcomes when the amount of PFJ overstuffing was within reason. Conclusion: The amount of overstuffing that routinely takes place seems to be within tolerable limits and does not create a significant difference in clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, it is recommended to recreate the anatomic dimensions of the PFJ in order to best obtain a joint that is within this safe margin of error.

Improving pain management and safe opioid use after surgery: A DMAIC-based quality intervention.

Background: Multimodal perioperative patient education and expectation-setting can reduce post-operative opioid use while maintaining pain control and satisfaction. As part of a quality-improvement project, we developed a standardized model for perioperative education built upon the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Safe and Effective Pain Control After Surgery (SEPCAS) brochure to improve perioperative education regarding opioid use and pain control. Material and methods: Our study was designed within the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) quality-improvement framework. Patients were surveyed about the adequacy of their perioperative education regarding pain control and use of prescription opioid medication. After gathering baseline data, a multimodal educational intervention based on the SEPCAS brochure was implemented. Survey responses were then compared between groups. Results: Twenty-seven subjects were included from the pre-intervention period, and thirty-nine were included from the post-intervention period (n = 66). Those in the post-intervention period were more likely to report receiving the appropriate amount of education regarding recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and how to safely store and dispose of opioid medications. The majority of patients who received the SEPCAS brochure reported that it was useful in their post-operative recovery and that it should be given to every patient undergoing surgery. Conclusions: The ACS SEPCAS brochure is an effective tool for improving patient preparation to safely store and dispose of their opioid medication and recognize the signs of opioid overdose. The brochure was also well received by patients and perceived as an effective educational material.

Surgical Trainee Perspectives on the Opioid Crisis: The Influence of Explicit and Hidden Curricula.

OBJECTIVE: In order to effectively create and implement an educational program to improve opioid prescribing practices, it is important to first consider the unique perspectives of residents on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic. We sought to better understand resident perspectives on opioid prescribing, current practices in pain management, and opioid education as a needs assessment for designing future educational interventions. DESIGN: This is a qualitative study using focus groups of surgical residents at 4 different institutions. SETTING: We conducted focus groups using a semistructured interview guide in person or over video conferencing. The residency programs selected for participation represent a broad geographic range and varying residency sizes. PARTICIPANTS: We used purposeful sampling to recruit general surgery residents from the University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. All general surgery residents at these locations were eligible for inclusion. Participants were assigned to focus groups by residency site and their status as junior (PGY-2, PGY-3) or senior resident (PGY-4, PGY-5). RESULTS: We completed 8 focus groups with a total of 35 residents included. We identified 4 main themes. First, residents relied on clinical and nonclinical factors when making decisions about opioid prescribing. However, hidden curricula based on unique institutional cultures and attending preferences heavily influenced residents' prescribing practices. Second, residents acknowledged that stigma and biases towards certain patient groups influenced opioid prescribing practices. Third, residents encountered barriers within their health systems to evidence-based opioid prescribing. Fourth, residents did not routinely receive formal education on pain management or opioid prescribing. Residents recommended several interventions to improve the current state of opioid prescribing, including standardized prescribing guidelines, improved patient education, and formal training during the first year of residency. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted several areas of opioid prescribing that can be improved upon through educational interventions. These findings can be used to develop programs aimed at improving residents' opioid prescribing practices, both during and after training, and ultimately the safe care of surgical patients. ETHICS STATEMENT: This project was approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board, ID # 00118491. All participants provided written informed consent.

Promoting Disposal of Left-Over Opioids After Surgery in Rural Communities: A Qualitative Description Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients rarely dispose of left-over opioids after surgery. Disposal serves as a primary prevention against misuse, overdose, and diversion. However, current interventions promoting disposal have mixed efficacy. Increasing disposal in rural communities could prevent or reduce the harms caused by prescription opioids. AIMS: Identify barriers and facilitators to disposal in the rural communities of the United States Mountain West region. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative description study with 30 participants from Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. We used a phronetic iterative approach combining inductive content and thematic analysis with deductive interpretation through the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). RESULTS: We identified four broad themes: (a) awareness, engagement, and education; (b) low perceived risk associated with nondisposal; (c) deciding to keep left-over opioids for future use; and (d) converting decisions into action. Most participants were aware of the importance of disposal but perceived the risks of nondisposal as low. Participants kept opioids for future use due to uncertainty about their recovery and future treatments, breakdowns in the patient-provider relationship, chronic illness or pain, or potential future injury. The rural context, particularly convenience, cost, and environmental contamination, contributes to decisional burden. CONCLUSIONS: We identified PAPM stage-specific barriers to disposal of left-over opioids. Future interventions should account for where patients are along the spectrum of deciding to dispose or not dispose as well as promoting harm-reduction strategies for those who choose not to dispose.

The Influence of Rural Healthcare Systems and Communities on Surgery and Recovery: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Successful recovery after surgery is complex and highly individual. Rural patients encounter greater barriers to successful surgical recovery than urban patients due to varying healthcare and community factors. Although studies have previously examined the recovery process, rural patients' experiences with recovery have not been well-studied. The rural socioecological context can provide insights into potential barriers or facilitators to rural patient recovery after surgery. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposeful sample of 30 adult general surgery patients from rural areas in the Mountain West region of the United States. We used the socioecological framework to analyze their responses. Interviews focused on rural participants' experiences accessing healthcare and the impact of family and community support during postoperative recovery. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using content and thematic analysis. RESULTS: All participants commented on the quality of their rural healthcare systems and its influence on postoperative care. Some enjoyed the trust developed through long-standing relationships with providers in their communities. However, participants described community providers' lack of money, equipment, and/or knowledge as barriers to care. Following surgery, participants recognized that there are advantages and disadvantages to receiving family and community support. Some participants worried about being stigmatized or judged by their community. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions aimed at improving access to and recovery from surgery for rural patients should take into account the unique perspectives of rural patients. Addressing the socioecological factors surrounding rural surgery patients, such as healthcare, family, and community resources, will be key to improving postoperative recovery.

Naloxone co-prescriptions for surgery patients prescribed opioids: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Surgeon-prescribed opioids contribute to 11% of prescription drug overdoses in the United States (US). With prescription opioids involved in 24% of all opioid-related overdose deaths in 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends naloxone co-prescribing to patients at high-risk of overdose and death as a harm reduction strategy. We sought to 1) examine naloxone co-prescribing rates to surgical patients (using common post-surgical prescribing amounts) and those with potential risk factors for opioid-related overdoses or adverse events, and 2) identify the factors associated with patients receiving naloxone co-prescriptions. Methods: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective study using the electronic medical records of all patients undergoing surgery at an academic institution between August 2020 and May 2021. We included post-surgical adults prescribed opioids that were sent to a pharmacy in our health system. The primary outcome was the percentage of co-prescribed naloxone in patients prescribed opioids. Results: The overall naloxone co-prescription rate was low (1.7%). Only 14.6% of patients prescribed ≥350 morphine milligram equivalents (MME, equivalent to 46.7 oxycodone 5 mg tablets) and 8.6% of patients using illicit drugs were co-prescribed naloxone. On multivariable analysis, patients who were prescribed >350 MME, used illicit drugs or tobacco, underwent an elective or emergent general surgery procedure, self-identified as Hispanic, or had ASA scores of 2-4 were more likely to receive a naloxone co-prescription. Conclusions: Naloxone co-prescribing after surgery remains low, even for high-risk patients. Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone, safe storage, and disposal of leftover opioids could reduce surgeons' iatrogenic contributions to the worsening US opioid crisis.

Use of post-discharge opioid consumption patterns as a tool for evaluating opioid prescribing guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Leftover pills from postoperative opioid prescriptions place patients and members of their communities at risk for opioid misuse. We aimed to better understand patients' post-discharge opioid consumption patterns to inform new methods of postoperative opioid prescribing. METHODS: We assessed post-discharge opioid consumption of general surgery patients and assessed the adequacy of discharge opioid prescriptions. We then compared patient opioid consumption to a number of theoretical discharge prescriptions based on different opioid prescribing guidelines and a proposed discharge prescription based on the metric 24-h pre-discharge opioid consumption (PDOC). RESULTS: 62/99 patients (62.6%) returned an opioid log book. Median 24-h PDOC was 22.5 MME (IQR 5.0-45.0) and median discharge prescription size was 15 pills (IQR:10-20). Prescriptions were adequate for 83.7% of patients. The median number of pills used was 3 (IQR:0-11) and median time to opioid cessation was 3 days (IQR:0-5). Actual prescriptions were consistent with national opioid prescribing guidelines. Prescriptions based on the formula 2 × 24-h PDOC would have decreased the number of leftover pills by 7.5 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Despite prescribing opioids consistent with national opioid prescribing guidelines, patients still receive too many pills. Improved opioid prescribing could be accomplished by use of the formula 2 × 24-h PDOC.

Preoperative Advance Care Planning for Older Adults Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) is recommended for older patients undergoing surgery. ACP consists of creating advance directives (ADs), identifying surrogate decision makers (SDMs), and documenting goals of care. We identified factors associated with documentation of preoperative ACP to identify opportunities to optimize ACP for older surgical patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of surgical patients ≥70 years old who underwent elective, high-risk abdominal procedures between 01/2015-08/2019. Clinical data were obtained from our institution's National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. ACP metrics were extracted from the electronic medical record. We analyzed the data to identify patient factors associated with ACP metrics. We also analyzed whether ACP was more frequent for patients who experienced postoperative complications or death. RESULTS: 267/1,651 patients were included. 97 patients (36%) had an AD available on the day of surgery, 57 (21%) had an SDM identified, and 31 (12%) had a documented goals of care conversation. On multivariable analysis, older age and white race were associated with an increased likelihood of having an AD available on the day of surgery. Women were 1.7 times more likely to have an SDM (p = 0.02). No patient or surgeon factors were significantly associated with goals of care documentation. ACP was not performed more frequently in patients who experienced postoperative complications or death. CONCLUSION: In this series, ACP was not routinely documented for older patients undergoing major surgery. ACP was not more frequent in patients who experienced complications or death, demonstrating the importance of universal preoperative ACP in older patients.

Patient Willingness to Dispose of Leftover Opioids After Surgery: A Mixed Methods Study.

We examined how convenience and financial incentives influence patient willingness to dispose of leftover prescription opioids after surgery. We also identified additional barriers and facilitators to disposal. Background: In the United States, up to 70% of surgical patients are prescribed opioids and up to 92% will have leftover tablets. Most do not dispose of leftover opioids, increasing the risk for opioid-related harm. Current interventions promoting opioid disposal have shown mixed success. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study using a standard gamble survey and semi-structured interviews. Participants estimated willingness to dispose in 16 scenarios with varying convenience (time requirements of <5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes) and financial incentives ($0, $5, $25, $50). We estimated the likelihood of disposal using a multivariable mixed effects modified Poisson regression model. Semi-structured interviews explored how convenience, financial incentives, and other barriers and facilitators influenced decisions to dispose. Results: Fifty-five participants were surveyed and 42 were interviewed. Most were willing to dispose when the time required was <15 minutes. Few were willing to dispose if the process required 60 minutes, although a $50 financial incentive increased rates from 9% to 36%. Anxiety about future pain, opioid scarcity, recreational use, family safety, moral beliefs, addiction, theft, and environmental harm also influenced decision-making. Conclusions: Interventions promoting opioid disposal should focus on convenience, but the selective use of financial incentives can be effective. Tailoring interventions to individual barriers and facilitators could also increase disposal rates.

Chronic Multifocal Osteomyelitis - Is Mycobacterium avium Complex Really the Culprit? A Case Report in an Adult Female.

Introduction: There are reports which describe multiple lytic lesions seen on X-ray resulting from a non-tuberculous Mycobacterium skeletal infection in immunocompetent adults and children. AdditionallyIn addition, similar multifocal lesions have also been described in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) which is more common in children but has have rarely been reported in adults. We present a case of a 47-year-old female who presented with multiple osteolytic lesions and discuss how her diagnosis overlaps with CRMO and multifocal non-tuberculous osteomyelitis associated with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Case Report: A 47-year-old female presented with a mass at her left sternoclavicular joint. Biopsy of the lesion showed acute and chronic inflammation suggesting osteomyelitis. The patient was on intravenousIV antibiotics with some improvement. After three 3 ½ and a half months, she was having knee pain and imaging showed another lesion and a bone scan found a third. Delayed cultures grew Mycobacterium avium complexMAC but ultimately the patient improved when she was taking naproxen for multifocal osteomyelitis. Conclusion: Multifocal lytic lesions on imaging in an adult can be multifocal osteomyelitis that, like in pediatric patients, may be treated best with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications as with the patient in this case.

Surgical Treatment of Pectoralis Major Muscle Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pectoralis major muscle (PMM) tendon ruptures are becoming more common. Multiple techniques for fixation of the avulsed tendon to its humeral insertion have been described. None of these techniques has been reviewed to compare outcomes in efforts to establish a first-line surgical technique. PURPOSE: To systematically review and analyze the data available in the literature to establish a clinically superior surgical technique and time frame in which surgery should occur. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. Only studies reporting the surgical techniques and outcomes of PMM repair were included. Data including patient age, injury mechanism, type and extent of the rupture, time from injury to surgery, surgical technique, outcome including complications, steroid use, location and year of publication, and activity level were extracted from the included studies. Statistical and descriptive analyses were conducted on the available literature. RESULTS: Of 259 cases from studies that provided the timing of repair, 72.6% (n = 188) were repaired acutely, while the remaining were repaired more than 8 weeks after the injury. There was no statistical difference found in the outcomes of these repairs. There were 265 cases included in the statistical analysis comparing the outcomes of surgical techniques. The odds of an excellent/good outcome were significantly better for the transosseous suture (TOS) compared with the unicortical button (UCB) technique (odds ratio [OR], 6.28 [95% CI, 1.37-28.75]; P = .018) and also for the suture anchor (SA) compared with the UCB technique (OR, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.06-10.85]; P = .039). The odds of an excellent/good outcome were not significantly different when comparing the TOS, SA, and TOS with trough techniques to one another. The probability of complications was highest with the TOS with trough technique (12.0%), although the odds of having a complication were not statistically significant for any single technique compared with the others. CONCLUSION: The low quality of evidence available limited this review. There were no significant differences observed in the outcomes of PMM repair based on the timing of repair. The TOS and SA techniques had statistically significantly greater odds of resulting in an excellent/good outcome compared with the UCB technique, but 1 study that contributed to this analysis may have statistically skewed the results for the UCB technique. Therefore, all 3 surgical techniques are accepted options, and the best technique is that with which the surgeon is most proficient and comfortable. Comparative research with a greater level of evidence is needed to determine a definitive first-line surgical technique.

Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit and Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is an association between throwing activity and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). An 18° to 20° deficit has been adopted as the standard definition of pathological GIRD, but specific findings as to how GIRD relates to an injury are inconsistent. PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature to clarify the definition of GIRD diagnosis for adolescent and adult overhead athletes and to examine the association between GIRD and an increased risk of injuries in these athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. Observational studies comparing glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion (ROM) in injured and uninjured overhead athletes were included for the meta-analysis. Studies of adolescent and adult athletes were analyzed separately. ROM was compared for the injured and uninjured groups, and a weighted mean GIRD was estimated. To account for potential heterogeneity across studies, both fixed- and random-effects models were used to calculate a standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Nine studies of level 3 or 4 evidence were included. From these, 12 study groups (4 adolescent, 8 adult) comprising 819 overhead athletes (226 injured, 593 uninjured) were included in the meta-analysis. The estimated SMD in GIRD between the injured and uninjured groups was 0.46 (95% CI, 0.15-0.77; P < .01) for the overall sample. The between-group effect was larger for adults (SMD, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.18 to 1.02]; P < .01) than adolescents (SMD, 0.20 [95% CI, -0.24 to 0.63]; P = .13). The weighted mean GIRD for the injured and uninjured groups was 13.8° ± 5.6° and 9.6° ± 3.0°, respectively, which also differed by age group. Moderate study heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 69.0%). CONCLUSION: Based on this systematic review, the current definition of pathological GIRD may be too conservative, and a distinct definition may be required for adolescent and adult athletes. While the results indicate a link between internal rotation deficits and upper extremity injuries in the overhead athlete, higher quality prospective research is needed to clarify the role that GIRD plays in future injuries to overhead athletes of various ages.