geons believe pain management is one-size-fits-all. It's not. Changing
their prescribing habits will require a bit of hand-holding and plenty of
convincing."
Treat patients, not pain scores
Solving the crisis demands educating every member of your clinical
team on how to inform patients about alternative therapies, according
to Susan Byrd, MBA, RN, senior director of ambulatory services at
Bayfront Health Spring Hill (Fla.). Also focus on improving patient
comfort instead of eliminating their pain, adds Ms. Byrd. "Using that
J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 5
Have you provided or received education about opioid-sparing pain
management techniques?
• Yes 91% • No 9%
Have you or your surgeons been instructed to reduce the amount of
opioids they prescribe?
• Yes 64% • No 36%
Why do you think surgeons hesitate to limit the amount of opioids
they prescribe?
• Unaware of the risks associated with opioid use 6%
• Worries about lower patient satisfaction scores 18%
• Convenience (fewer post-op
phone calls from patients) 44%
• Hesitancy to change
established prescribing habits 32%
SOURCE: Outpatient Surgery Magazine Reader Survey (n=61),
December 2019