Evaluating a Team-Based Opioid Stewardship Program

University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) researchers describe a single-institution, multicomponent perioperative effort focused on discharge prescribing as a team-based opioid stewardship program.

The initiative followed 6,619 opioid-naïve adult patients undergoing 15 elective procedures and was associated with a 67% reduction in discharge opioid prescriptions, with 70% of patients discharged without opioids.

The Department of Surgery rollout spanned perioperative phases and involved multiple surgical divisions, including acute care, colorectal, thoracic, transplant, and surgical oncology. The three components included education for staff and patients, electronic medical record (EMR) configuration changes, and recurring performance feedback delivered through dashboards.