Due to the current opioid epidemic, there has been increased focus on the prescribing patterns of physicians and greater incentive to reduce the amount of narcotic pain medication prescribed.
A recent publication in Journal of American Medical Association Surgery conducted by researchers from the same institution found that giving patients the option of choosing to receive a narcotic prescription or not following endocrine surgery significantly reduced opioid prescriptions and waste without increased pain or worse quality of life. No patients called in to request narcotic pain medication after discharge.
Significance:
Given the current health care and political climate, there has been increasing focus on reducing the amount of narcotics prescribed by health care providers. Based on the results of the above cited study, the investigators believe implementing an opt-in program at University of California at Los Angeles will also significantly decrease the amount of opioids prescribed for postoperative pain following outpatient breast surgery as well.
