Opioid prescribing in orthopaedic and neurosurgical specialties in a tertiary hospital: a retrospective audit of hospital discharge data

BACKGROUND: To understand patterns of opioid prescribing on discharge in the orthopaedic and neurosurgical wards of a tertiary metropolitan hospital. METHODS: A retrospective audit of medical records and discharge summaries for all orthopaedic and neurosurgical patients admitted for at least 2 days on two surgical wards over a 6-month period between 1 January and 30 June 2017. RESULTS: A combined total of 355 patients (281 orthopaedic and 74 neurosurgical patients) were included in the audit. Approximately 82% were discharged on opioids. Of patients discharged on opioids, 71.4% of the orthopaedic group and 73.8% of the neurosurgical group were discharged on combinations of two or more opioids (immediate release together with slow release). Around 65% of the sample discharged on opioids was opioid naive on admission. About 32.5% of the orthopaedic patients and 68.9% of the neurosurgical patients were discharged on a combination of opioid and other pharmacotherapy that could potentiate the central nervous system depressant effect of the opioids. Only 6.9% of orthopaedic patients and 11.5% of the neurosurgical patients had discharge summaries that included any reference to opioid management after discharge. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic and neurosurgical units had high opioid prescribing rates on discharge from hospital. This highlights the need for clear communication of the intended medication management plan post-discharge in order to minimize inappropriate and ongoing use of opioids post-surgery.