Opioid prescribing practices in postoperative hip/knee joint replacements in a rural setting


C. De La Rosa Orjuela, C. Mok, A. Bhadelia, C. Mumme, I. Lemech

Background

Over-prescription of opioids have triggered an opioid crisis in developed countries. In 2017 the US Department of Health and Human Services declared opioid misuse and opioid-related overdoses a public health emergency. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 130 Americans die everyday from opioid overdose.

The Centre for Medicine Use and Safety found that 1.9 million Australians begin taking opioids annually and 2.6% become long-term users. Opioid-related deaths in Australia have doubled in the last 10 years. It is becoming more evident that long-term use of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain is detrimental. This study aims to document the opioid prescription practices in patients undergoing elective hip/knee replacements at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (WWBH). It will focus on preoperative and postoperative opioid use until week 6.

Objectives

This study aims to document the opioid requirements for patients undergoing elective hip/knee replacements at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (WWBH). It will focus on preoperative and postoperative opioid use until week 6 post-operatively.

Methods

This audit will look at opioid use at three points on discharge, at two-week and six-week follow-up. Patients booked for elective hip/knee replacements will be recruited at pre-admissions clinic. Data will be collected from electronic medical records (eMR) and patient surveys distributed at follow-up appointments.