based on specific pro-
cedures.
Michael Englesbe,
MD, FACS, a professor
of surgery at the
University of Michigan
and co-director of
OPEN, says more sur-
geons are being care-
ful about their use of
opioids and beginning
to realize that post-op
pain can be success-
fully managed with a fraction of the pills they're accustomed to pre-
scribing. The efforts of Dr. Englesbe and his colleagues at OPEN has
helped to reduce the average number of pills prescribed by Michigan
surgeons from 35 to between 8 and 10.
Dr. Englesbe sees that trend spreading across the country, thanks in
part to enhanced recovery protocols and bundled payment models
that require a multidisciplinary and more active approach to patient
care. He believes interacting with patients earlier and often will
improve their understanding and acceptance of opioid-sparing tech-
niques.
"Opioids are still an important part of post-op pain management, but
we must minimize their risks by treating pain with the fewest amount
possible," says Dr. Englesbe.
Making that happen will require persistence. Dr. Manning talks with
surgeons around the country during speaking engagements about
solving the opioid epidemic and has heard more than once that the
opioid crisis is much ado about nothing. "Really?" he says. "Some sur-
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 3
• HEALTHCARE PARTNERS Patients are feeling empowered to request non-opioid
analgesics to manage their pain.