The Tailored Opioid Reduction Strategy (TORS): A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Opioid Prescription...

To evaluate a tailored opioid reduction strategy (TORS) in minimizing opioid prescriptions for patients undergoing hysterectomy.

This quality improvement initiative was developed by multiple stakeholders at an academic hospital in a Canadian urban centre. The intervention consisted of a three-pronged approach: (1) patient and provider education, (2) perioperative multimodal analgesia, and (3) a targeted opioid reduction strategy. All eligible patients were asked to fill pre- and postoperative questionnaires. Analysis of outcomes pre- and post-TORS implementation as well as intervention compliance was performed.

From September 2020 to April 2021, 133 patients who underwent hysterectomy were included in the study, 69 in the pre-intervention group and 64 in the post-intervention group. Of 133 hysterectomies, 78 (58.6%) were performed laparoscopically, 16 (12%) open, 14 (10.5%) vaginally, and 25 (18.8%) robotically. The rate of discharge opioid prescriptions was significantly reduced in the post-intervention group compared with the pre-intervention group (37/64, 58% versus 62/69, 90%, respectively, P < 0.001), as well as the amount of opioid prescribed in oral morphine equivalents (OME) (mean 47 mg pre-intervention, 28 mg post-intervention, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction or postoperative pain scores between groups. Overall, compliance with 2 or more components of TORS intervention was seen in 64/64 (100%) cases.

TORS implementation was successful in reducing the rate of discharge opioid prescriptions and the total amount of opiates prescribed in patients undergoing hysterectomy with no decrease in patient satisfaction or change in postoperative pain scores. We believe it can be applied more broadly across different surgical patient populations to prevent opioid abuse.