Impact of an opioid stewardship program on opioid exposure for pediatric appendectomy post-surgical pain
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Topic overview
Abstract
Background/purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a Pediatric Acute Pain Guideline on postsurgical pain scores, opioid exposure, and discharge opioid prescribing habits in postappendectomy patients.
Methods
This was a retrospective single-center quality improvement project, including patients admitted for an appendectomy at a pediatric medical center between April 1 and December 31, 2018. Patients 0–17years of age, who underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy without complications, were inpatient for at least 1 calendar day, and designated as presurgical American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) category 1 or 2 were included.
Results
Two hundred fifty-eight patients met inclusion criteria (n=92 pre-, n=166 post-guideline implementation). There was a decrease in the number of as needed opioid doses used (p=0.014) and length of hospitalization (p=0.003) post-guideline implementation compared to pre-guideline implementation. A decrease in the number of as needed doses of opioids used (p<0.001) and in opioid exposure (p=0.038) during hospitalization was also seen when the nonopioid pain agent was scheduled.
Conclusions
The implementation of the Pediatric Acute Pain Guideline was associated with a decrease in the number of as needed opioid doses used during hospitalization, which may have contributed to a decreased length of hospitalization. Scheduling nonopioid pain medications decreased opioid exposure.
Level of evidence
Treatment study level III.
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