Perioperative Education and Postoperative Discharge Medications in Gynecologic Oncology Patients: Prescribing Practices, Clinical Encounters, and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Objectives: The effects of an algorithm for postoperative prescriptions on opioid-prescribing practices, pain-related postdischarge clinical encounters, and patient satisfaction were studied. Materials and Methods: A quality-improvement initiative was implemented at a single, tertiary-care, comprehensive cancer center. Perioperative patient education was restructured with detailed verbal and written components. An algorithm for postoperative discharge medications included prescribing nonopioid analgesics to all patients without contraindications. Opioid prescriptions were based on patients' length of stay and inpatient opioids' use. Data on opioids prescribed and postoperative encounters for pain were collected, and surveys at a postoperative visit were taken on patient satisfaction pre- and postintervention. Groups' results were compared. Results: The patients (107 preintervention and 90 postintervention) had similar demographics. The postintervention group had a 25% reduction in median number of opioids prescribed at discharge (p = 0.16), with similar patterns of postoperative encounters for pain and frequency of opioid refills. Patient satisfaction, assessed in 29 preintervention and 40 postintervention participants, had significant improvement; 95% postintervention participants answered that they were satisfied with their pain control, compared with 75% preintervention participants (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Perioperative education plus an algorithm for postoperative discharge medications in gynecologic oncology patients results in improved patient satisfaction, a trend toward fewer opioid prescriptions, and a similar pattern of postoperative pain encounters. Comprehensive perioperative education is effective for improving patient satisfaction and pairs well with an algorithmic approach to decreasing opioid prescriptions. (J GYNECOL SURG 20XX:000)