Orthopedic surgery can be performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), as well as in traditional inpatient venues. Patients who undergo orthopedic surgery may be prescribed opioids for the management of postsurgical pain. However, the association between surgery venue, postsurgical opioid use, and health care costs remains unclear.
Where We Stand: Managed care pharmacists have a responsibility to work with patients and other health care professionals to ensure the appropriate use of opioids and to ensure that prescriptions are dispensed and utilized for legitimate medical needs.
An analysis published in JMCP found that patients in the North Carolina Medicaid program continued to receive opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently despite known risks. Read the results and recommendations that may benefit this and other Medicaid populations.
A retrospective claims analysis in JMCP found that patients who received an outpatient opioid prescription following surgery had significantly increased health care utilization and costs for the following year.
A retrospective claims analysis in JMCP found that patients who received an outpatient opioid prescription following surgery had significantly increased health care utilization and costs for the following year.
Recognizing the widespread and devastating nature of the opioid crisis, AMCP formed the Addiction Treatment Advisory Group in 2015 based on the recommendation from the AMCP Partnership Forum, Breaking the Link between Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder.
