Utilizing previous patient opioid experiences for pain plan implementation: Role of opioid use categorization on inpatient and outpatient opioid use, length of stay, pain scores, and clinic resource utilization following elective spine surgery.

Background: A Pain Plan was formulated for all patients undergoing elective spine surgery at our institution. It was based on prior opioid experiences and developed collaboratively between the patient and the surgeon at a preoperative clinic visit. Category 1 patients had no previous opioid experience, Category 2 patients had remote previous opioid experience with acceptable pain control and no side effects, Category 3 patients had remote previous opioid experience with unacceptable pain control and/or side effects, and Category 4 patients had opioid use leading up to surgery.