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Effectiveness of organisational interventions on the appropriate use of opioids for non-cancer pain upon hospital discharge: A systematic review
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  • Katelyn Phinn,
  • Shania Liu,
  • Asad Patanwala,
  • Jonathan Penm
Katelyn Phinn
The University of Sydney

Corresponding Author:kphi5276@uni.sydney.edu.au

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Shania Liu
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Asad Patanwala
University of Sydney
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Jonathan Penm
The University of Sydney
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Abstract

Aim: To summarise the effectiveness of organisational interventions on appropriate opioid use for non-cancer pain upon hospital discharge. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on six electronic databases by two independent reviewers. We included original research articles reporting on quantitative outcomes of organisational interventions targeting appropriate opioid use on hospital discharge. Quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. The protocol for this review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020156104). Results: Out of 173 full texts assessed for eligibility, 43 were included in this review. The majority of studies had a moderate to serious risk of bias (33 out of 43). Most of the studies implemented a multifaceted organisational intervention (16 studies). Other interventions included guideline implementation, prescriber education and default opioid prescribing quantity changes in electronic medical records. Multiple studies found that the dissemination of patient-specific and procedure-specific guidelines reduced the quantity of opioids prescribed by 44-57%. Prescriber education provided with feedback was implemented in four studies and resulted in a 33-44% decrease in prescribing rates. Lowering the default quantities in the electronic medical records produced a 40% decrease in opioids prescribed in one study. Conclusion: Guideline implementation, prescriber education and default opioid prescribing quantity changes all appear effective in improving the appropriate use of opioids on hospital discharge. However, the extent of reduction of opioid prescribing upon hospital discharge after the implementation of multifaceted intervention strategies appears similar to that of simpler interventions which require fewer resources.
21 Jun 2022Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
24 Jun 2022Submission Checks Completed
24 Jun 2022Assigned to Editor
12 Jul 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Additional Review
24 Nov 20221st Revision Received
25 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
25 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Accept