ACS addresses opioid prescription misuse with new QI project

Editor's Note

The American College of Surgeons (ACS), on September 12, announced a new quality improvement (QI) project that will evaluate the most effective ways to help patients safely manage postoperative pain and reduce the risk of opioid dependence.

The project will be conducted in collaboration with Health Care Service Corporation, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons to broaden the understanding of the effect of patient and provider education/outreach on reducing the number of new, persistent opioid users after certain orthopedic and spine procedures.

Patients having nonemergency hip, knee, and shoulder replacements or some forms of spine surgery will receive safe pain control educational materials developed by the ACS and partner organizations.

Members of the public also can access safe pain control educational materials on the ACS website at no cost. The educational materials are expected to reach up to 6,000 patients annually, ACS says.