Abstract
Purpose :
Despite three Texas laws since 2019 aimed at reducing opioid prescriptions, overdoses reached a national record high this year, leaving uncertainty about the efficacy of these measures. This retrospective chart review investigates the effect of these three policies on opioid prescribing practices at the University of Texas Medical Branch Oculoplastic Department.
Methods :
This study included charts of approximately 520 participants over the age of 18 who underwent one of ten specified Oculoplastic procedures performed at the University of Texas Medical Branch between January 1, 2018 and July 1, 2021. Demographic data, type of surgery, and prescribed morphine milli-equivalents (MME) were extracted from the charts. T-tests and chi-square tests were utilized to detect significant differences in average MME prescribed per month. This data was analyzed for an overall change in the trend of prescribing patterns as well as individual changes between the timeframes pertaining to each policy.
Results :
Out of the 520 subjects screened, 250 received a qualifying post-op opioid medication of any amount. Data shows a 15% decrease in opioid prescribing rates since January 2018 to present. Before any policies were passed, an average of 109.09MME were prescribed per month. This decreased to 98.23MME after the first law and 98.23MME after the second law. After the passage of the third anti-opioid policy, an average of 92.62MME/month were prescribed. Evaluation continues as to the significance (p<.05) of this overall decrease, as well as individual changes in average MME/month in timeframes after each law was enacted in September 2019, March 2020, and January 2021 [see Graph 1].
Conclusions :
Implementation of the anti-opioid state laws in Texas made a demonstrable impact on the number of opioids prescribed by the Oculoplastic department at UTMB. Such success encourages the support of similar policies in other states. Conclusions will also identify other factors associated with higher MME prescriptions, such as specific patient demographics or type of surgery.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.