LAUSR

Background Information: With growing concern of opioid addiction, misuse and Opioid Related Adverse Drug Events (ORADE) in surgical patients, we evaluated the potential of decreasing the use of opioids on post-operative unilateral knee/hip arthroplasty patients. A high number of surgical patients experience ORADE while in the acute care facility. Initiating a protocol for opioid sparing regimen for the joint replacement patients was prudent. Surgical patients that receive less opioids experience less ORADE. This in turn decreases length of stay while achieving adequate pain management and maintaining high discharge home percentages without increased readmissions.