Trends in Opioid Prescriptions after Laparoscopic Sterilization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Examine trends in opioid prescriptions after laparoscopic sterilization over time, and identify any individual patient, provider, or procedural factors influencing prescribing. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort analysis of laparoscopic sterilizations between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 at Montefiore Medical Center. A review of the medical records was performed and information on patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and surgical characteristics were collected. The number of opioid pills prescribed postoperatively and any pain related patient calls, visits, or refills was recorded. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019, 615 laparoscopic sterilizations were performed. The median number of opioid pills prescribed was 10, ranging from 0 to 40. There was a significant decrease in the number of opioid pills prescribed (p < .0001) and refill incidence (p < .001) over time. Patients with a documented diagnosis of pelvic pain received significantly more opioid pills (p = .02), as did patients who underwent tubal occlusion versus salpingectomy (p = .01). There was no association between the number of opioid pills prescribed and other patient or procedural characteristics. Finally, the number of pills prescribed was not associated with urgent patient contact (p = .34). CONCLUSIONS: The overall number of opioid pills prescribed after laparoscopic sterilization decreased at our institution over time, which paralleled a decrease in refills and urgent postoperative patient contact. Further, few clinical characteristics influenced postoperative prescribing and there was no association between number of pills prescribed and urgent patient contact. These findings suggest excess prescribing and highlight the need to identify and adopt an evidenced-based approach to postsurgical opioid prescriptions.

"Weekend Effect" on 30-Day Readmissions among Stroke Survivors: An Analysis of the National Readmission Database.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies suggested that quality of care may be lower on weekends than during the week. We hypothesized that, among patients hospitalized for an index ischemic stroke, those admitted on weekends would have a higher risk of 30-day readmission than those admitted on weekdays. METHODS: We utilized the 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database, which includes data on US inpatient admissions from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Utilization Project. The database includes a nationally representative weighted probability sample of inpatient hospitalizations regardless of insurance status. Patients with primary acute ischemic stroke were identified using previously validated ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. We conducted a weighted analysis using survey design logistic regression models to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association between weekend admission and 30-day readmission in ischemic stroke patients. RESULTS: Among 319,317 patients admitted for ischemic stroke, 12.1% were readmitted within 30 days. Those with 30-day readmissions had an average of 8 chronic conditions, and all cardiovascular-related comorbidities increased the risk of 30-day readmissions. Ischemic stroke patients admitted on weekends had odds of 30-day readmission similar to patients admitted on weekdays (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.98-1.06). Weekend admission also did not affect readmission at 7 or 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between weekend admission and 30-day readmissions, providing indirect evidence of homogeneity in the quality of care delivered during week day and weekend admissions.