Reducing Opioid-Induced Constipation Post-Cardiac Surgery: An Improvement Project in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Pain management with opioids and underutilization of prophylaxis for constipation can prolong a patient's hospital length of stay and impede pain management efforts.

Problem: In pediatric postoperative cardiac patients, opioid therapy is a common approach to pain management but often places them at greater risk for constipation due to anatomy and age.

Methods: A retrospective review of 50 patients' medical records for baseline data was conducted, and a survey evaluated providers' current knowledge and practice.