Oral Opioid Use during Vaginal Delivery Hospitalizations

This study aimed to determine the receipt of short-acting opioid medications during vaginal delivery hospitalizations.

The Perspective database was analyzed to evaluate patterns of short-acting oral opioid use during vaginal delivery hospitalizations from January 2006 to March 2015. Unadjusted and adjusted models evaluating the role of demographic and hospital factors were created evaluating use of opioids. Hospital-level rates of opioid use were evaluated. Opioid receipt among women with opioid abuse or dependence was evaluated based on overall hospital rates of opioid use.

Of 3,785,396 vaginal delivery hospitalizations from 2006 to 2015, 1,720,899 (45.5%) women received an oral opioid for pain relief. Opioid use varied significantly among the 458 hospitals included in the analysis, with one-third of hospitals providing opioids to <38% of patients, one-third to 38 to <59% of patients, and one-third to ≥59% of patients. When hospitals were stratified by overall opioid administration rates, women with opioid abuse or dependence were less likely to be given opioids in hospitals with low overall opioid rates.

The use of opioid pain medications during vaginal delivery hospitalizations varied significantly among hospitals, suggesting that standardization of pain management practices could reduce opioid use.