Postsurgical opioid prescribing among veterans using community care for orthopedic surgery at non-VA hospitals compared to a VA hospital with a transitional pain service: a retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
These results suggest that veterans who have surgery at a veterans affairs hospital with a transitional pain service are at lower risk for larger opioid prescriptions both at discharge and within 90 days after surgery as well as persistent opioid use beyond 90 days after discharge than if they have surgery at a community hospital.
Study context
- Population
- Veterans undergoing Veterans Health Administration (VHA)-paid orthopedic joint surgery, January 2018–December 2021
- Participants
- 562 veterans
- Exposure
- non-VHA vs VHA Medical Center (VAMC)
- non-VHAn = 323
- VAMCn = 239reference
- Outcome
- Number of opioid tablets prescribed at discharge
- Follow-up
- Discharge
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Opioid tablets prescribed at discharge
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Total opioid tablets prescribed in first 90 days after surgery
P < 0.001
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filling opioid prescriptions past 90 days after discharge · 90–120 days | 0.06 (0.01–0.48) | P = 0.007 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Postsurgical opioid prescribing among veterans using community care for orthopedic surgery at non-VA hospitals compared to a VA hospital with a transitional pain service: a retrospective cohort study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 27 April 2024. doi:10.
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