MS3 University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix Mesa, Arizona, United States
Background: Pediatric patients have not been immune to the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic. One study found that 4.8% of surgical pediatric patients filled opioid prescriptions more than 3 months after surgery, putting them at greater risk of dependence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines to implement safer opioid prescribing practices by medical professionals in 2016, and revised guidelines in 2022. Measuring compliance with CDC guidelines will indicate current progress in efforts to reduce the adverse effects of opioids, including overdose and dependence. Objective: The primary objective is to assess provider compliance with CDC opioid prescribing guidelines; specifically to evaluate opioid prescriptions given for more than 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day and quantities of more than 3 days of opioid supply. The secondary objective is to describe the demographics of patients receiving opioid prescriptions, and medical service of providers prescribing opioids. Design/Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study evaluating Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data for pediatric patients discharged from the hospital between March 18, 2016 and March 18, 2023. Data will be collected on prescribed opioid daily dose and the duration of prescription dosing to view rates over time and assess the degree of compliance with CDC guidelines. The percentage of opioid prescriptions that are non-compliant will be calculated on a monthly and annual basis. To estimate the average change over time during the study period, monthly or annual rates will be modeled, depending on data distribution. A logistic, Poisson, or other generalized linear model with appropriate link function will be selected based on the data distribution and model fit. Model estimates will be provided with 95% confidence intervals . Epidemiologic data of patients receiving opioid prescriptions and prescribers of opioids will also be summarized. IRB approval has been granted and data analysis is expected to be completed by March 1, 2024.
