Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Implementation of a multimodal analgesic protocol after vaginal delivery and postpartum opioid consumption: a
Tyler B Chau1, Austin M Veire1, Simon Dang1
1Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA.
Background:
We investigated the effect of a standardized protocol with a multimodal order set on in-hospital opioid consumption and discharge prescription, emphasizing non-opioid medications over rescue oxycodone.
Methods:
This single-center retrospective study examined vaginal delivery patients in 2018 (pre-protocol) and 2023 (post-protocol). Outcomes included inpatient opioid use, milligram morphine equivalents, and outpatient opioid prescriptions. Multivariable regression analyzed associations with clinical and demographic covariates.
Results:
Unadjusted inpatient opioid administration decreased from 40.85% (2018, n = 2666) to 5.87% (2023, n = 2316) (P < 0.001), and among those administered opioids, there was an average decrease of 11.2 mg morphine equivalents (P < 0.001). Adjusted models showed that White patients, while inpatient, were 25% less likely to receive an opioid and given 2.98 mg morphine equivalents less compared with Black patients (P < 0.001). Outpatient prescription rates declined from unadjusted 19.2% to 1.9% (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Implementation of a multimodal analgesia regimen was associated with significant reductions in opioid exposure after vaginal delivery.
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...