Opioid Disposal in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Replacement Utilizing a Carbon-Based Home Medication Disposal Pouch

Abstract

AimsThe purpose of the pilot study was to determine if an educational program on opioid safety and disposal during a preoperative joint replacement class would increase the frequency of disposal of unused opioids with a disposal pouch at the end of the episode of care in patients undergoing joint replacement. A secondary aim was to quantify the milligrams of morphine equivalents prescribed, used, disposed, and remaining in joint replacement patients. DesignThe study design is quasi-experimental. MethodsA medication disposal pouch was provided to all study subjects preoperatively. A 2-minute opioid safety and disposal instruction and demonstration of the use of the disposal pouch was performed at a weekly preoperative joint replacement class which was optional for subjects to attend. A nine-question phone survey was then administered to subjects postoperatively. ResultsOne hundred and four patients completed the study survey. Of the subjects who attended the class and had opioids remaining, 74% disposed of their opioids compared with 36% that did not attend the class (p = .005). ConclusionsProvision of a disposal pouch in combination with a live educational program on opioid safety and disposal increased the rate of disposal of unused opioids in a postoperative population.