Americans account for 4.6 percent of the global population, yet they consume 80 percent of the global opioid supply. As physicians move away from prescribing opioids post-surgery, the healthcare industry must also shift patient expectations to ensure patient satisfaction.
Here are five thoughts:
1. Although opioids have been the main pain treatment post surgery, they may cause nausea, confusion, vomiting, constipation and respiratory depression. Patients also run the risk of becoming addicted to opioids.
2. To limit the need for opioids after surgery, surgeons are practicing multimodal approaches pre-surgery. They hope these preventive measures will decrease pain and shorten the recovery time.
3. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol places a patient on a diet of carbohydrates, proteins and sports drinks one week before surgery. The patient takes oral medications on the day of surgery, including anti-inflammatory, neuro-modulating and narcotic medications. The patient also receives an adductor canal catheter designed for 48 hours of postoperative pain management.
4. The Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society Opioid Task Force established a patient empowerment advocacy program called, "Opioids for Pain: Be Smart. Be Safe. Be sure." The program will call on physicians and state politicians to educate the public about the potential side effects of opioids.
5. The initiative encourages patients to ask their physicians:
- Is this prescription an opioid?
- At what level of pain should I take this prescription?
- Do I have to take every pill in the prescription?
- Where can I safely dispose of remaining pills?
- What can I do to avoid addiction?
- What are possible warning signs of dependence or addiction?
- What can I do if I believe that I might have developed a dependence on this drug?
