ask them why their lap chole patients, for example, are prescribed
twice as many opioids as patients cared for by other physicians. The
issue is often a matter of being unaware that they're prescribing more
opioids, and peer comparison can be a powerful and informative way
to change prescribing behavior.
4. Educate caregivers. Inform not only patients about the dangers of
opioid dependence, but also at-home caregivers, who shoulder much
of the burden of post-op care. Inform patients' loved ones what's
involved in a comprehensive pain management plan and that there are
alternatives to reaching for the opioid pill container when discomfort
starts to set in.
5. Be honest and
realistic. More com-
plex cases are moving
from inpatient ORs to
outpatient facilities,
but just because your
surgeons can perform
a procedure doesn't
mean you're ready to
provide the compre-
hensive care needed to
achieve best outcomes.
If you can't manage a
procedure's post-op
pain with minimal use
of opioids, you're not
ready to add it. Note:
J U L Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7
