Effectiveness of a discharge analgesia guideline on discharge opioid prescribing after a surgical procedure from a tertiary metropolitan hospital.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a discharge analgesia guideline on the number of days' supply of opioid analgesics provided among surgical patients upon hospital discharge. The secondary objective was to analyze the effect of this guideline on the provision of an analgesic discharge plan.

Design: A retrospective historical control cohort study.

Tapentadol Versus Oxycodone for Opioid-Related Adverse Drug Events and Clinical Outcomes After Inpatient Surgery.

Oxycodone is a commonly prescribed opioid for postoperative pain. However, there has been a marked increase in the use of tapentadol over the previous decade due to a perceived superior safety profile of tapentadol compared to oxycodone. There is limited real-world evidence on the safety of tapentadol compared to oxycodone after surgery.

Supply of opioids and information provided to patients after surgery in an Australian hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Opioids are commonly prescribed to manage pain after surgery. However, excessive supply on discharge can increase patients' risk of persistent opioid use and contribute to the reservoir of unused opioids in the community that may be misused. This study aimed to evaluate the use of opioids in Australian surgical patients after discharge and patient satisfaction with the provision of opioid information after discharge.

Opioid-related adverse drug events in surgical patients: risk factors and association with clinical outcomes.

Background: Opioid analgesics are commonly used to treat acute post-operative pain. The primary objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs) in surgical patients and the association between ORADEs and clinical outcomes.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from July 2016 to April 2020.

Responsible Prescribing of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Scoping Review.

Chronic non-cancer pain is common and long-term opioid therapy is frequently used in its management. While opioids can be effective, they are also associated with significant harm and misuse, and clinicians must weigh any expected benefits with potential risks when making decisions around prescribing. This review aimed to summarise controlled trials and systematic reviews that evaluate patient-related, provider-related, and system-related factors supporting responsible opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain.

Medication Use and Pain Management in Pregnancy: A Critical Review.

Background: Pain during pregnancy is common, and its management is complex. Certain analgesics may increase the risk for adverse fetal and pregnancy outcomes, while poorly managed pain can result in adverse maternal outcomes such as depression and hypertension. Guidelines to assist clinicians in assessing risks and benefits of exposure to analgesics for the mother and unborn infant are lacking, necessitating evidence-based recommendations for managing pain in pregnancy.

The Pain Course: Exploring the Feasibility of an Internet-delivered Pain Management Program When Offered by a Tertiary Pain Management Service.

Background: This study examined the acceptability and preliminary outcomes of an internet-delivered pain management program, the Pain Course, when offered by a specialist pain management clinic in a large public hospital.

Methods: A single-group feasibility open-trial design was used and 39 patients participated in the program, which ran for 8 weeks. Participants were supported through the program with weekly contact from a Clinical Psychologist at the clinic.

Opioid-Sparing Effect of Cannabinoids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cannabinoids, when co-administered with opioids, may enable reduced opioid doses without loss of analgesic efficacy (ie, an opioid-sparing effect). The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to determine the opioid-sparing potential of cannabinoids. Eligible studies included pre-clinical and clinical studies for which the outcome was either analgesia or opioid dose requirements.

Wound infusion with local anaesthesia after laparotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The use of a continuous local anaesthesia infusion after laparotomy may reduce opioid requirements and facilitate earlier return of bowel function, independent mobilization and hospital discharge.

Methods: We performed a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial on 55 patients who underwent laparotomy. Patients were randomly allocated to receive a continuous infusion of either 0.

A cross-sectional study of post-amputation pain in upper and lower limb amputees, experience of a tertiary referral amputee clinic.

Purpose: To determine the pain characteristics and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) of upper and lower limb amputees.

Method: Amputees attending the Prince of Wales Prosthetic Clinics in 2006 were administered a questionnaire survey of their pain experiences, Short form McGill pain questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF 36) and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ).

Results: Of the 17 who were upper limb amputees (including the two multiple limb amputees), only 1 was pain free and of the 39 who were lower limb amputees 14 were pain free.