Engaging the Opioid Epidemic Head on: Improving Proper Disposal of Unused Opioid Medications after Surgery

Abstract

Study Objective To improve proper opioid disposal rates after surgery by providing educational materials along with a disposal bag Design Prospective Cohort Setting Academic Patients or Participants Surgical Interventions A prospective cohort study first evaluating a baseline understanding of medication disposal using a questionnaire was given. Subsequently, patients were provided written information on proper disposal and medication disposal bag. Study patients were then asked to complete a survey about how they disposed of their unused opioids at their last visit. The success of education and proper disposal of opioid medications were evaluated. Measurements and Main Results Thirty-one patients successfully completed both surveys. The surgeries performed included a variety of gynecologic procedures. Prior to education, 52%(n=16) of patients did not dispose of their narcotics. Furthermore, 71%(n=22) of patients state they had never been educated by a medical provider regarding appropriate disposal. 19%(n=6) confirmed they have used a narcotic medication prescribed to someone else. After intervention, 93.5%(n=29) of patients properly disposed of their narcotics which identifies a 45% increase in proper disposal(p= Conclusion This study clearly shows that patient education, coupled with a reliable option for opioid disposal, is effective. We encourage other institutions to implement similar practices not only for our surgical patient's safety but also the estimated 42,000 patients who died of opioid abuse in the last year.