Reducing Opioid Prescribing after Cesarean Delivery by Utilizing a Tailored Opioid Prescribing Algorithm

Objective There are increasing efforts among health care systems to promote safe opioid prescribing; however, best practice for minimizing overprescription is not established. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of a tailored opioid prescribing algorithm on opioid prescription quantities. Study Design A tailored opioid prescribing algorithm was developed to provide a recommended prescription quantity based on inpatient opioid use. A retrospective analysis of opioid prescribing 3 months before and after implementation was performed. Our primary outcome was the number of oxycodone 5-mg tablets prescribed. Subgroup analysis by oxycodone consumption in the 24 hour prior to discharge was performed. Patient satisfaction and unused opioid tablets were assessed by text message survey 2 weeks' postpartum. Results We included 627 ( n = 313 preimplementation; n = 314 postimplementation) patients who underwent cesarean delivery. Clinical characteristics were similar between groups. The median number of oxycodone 5-mg tablets prescribed in the baseline group was 20 (interquartile range [IQR]: 20-30), compared with 5 (IQR: 0-10) in the tailored prescribing group ( p < 0.0001). For patients with no opioid use in the 24 hours prior to discharge, the median number of tablets prescribed decreased from 20 (IQR: 10-20) to 0 (IQR: 0-5) following the intervention ( p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients discharged without an opioid prescription increased from 7% (23/313) in the baseline group to 35% (111/314) in the tailored prescribing group (odds ratio: 6.9, 95% confidence interval [4.3, 11.1]). Conclusion Tailored opioid prescribing reduced the number of opioid tablets prescribed and increased the proportion of patients who were discharged without an opioid prescription.