Opioid Destruction Education for Postoperative Care
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how people manage opioid pain medications at home after surgery, with a focus on the safe storage and disposal of leftover pills. Participants receive education on properly storing and disposing of these medications. Six to eight weeks later, researchers will assess how much of the medication was used, stored, or discarded. This trial suits individuals going home after knee or hip replacement surgery who have been prescribed opioids for pain management. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to important research on safe opioid use and disposal practices.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it focuses on how you use and store opioid pain medications after surgery.
What prior data suggests that this opioid destruction education is safe for postoperative care?
Research shows that teaching patients how to safely store and dispose of opioids is effective. No reports indicate negative effects from learning these practices. Studies indicate that patients who receive this education are more likely to dispose of leftover pills. For instance, one study found that 62.5% of people who learned about safe disposal got rid of their unused opioids, compared to just 40.7% who didn't receive the education. Another study observed a significant decrease in opioid use after patients received educational materials.
These findings suggest that learning about safe opioid practices not only helps patients manage their medications better but also ensures safety.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to address a crucial part of post-surgery care: the safe management of leftover opioid medications. Unlike the current standard of care, which often includes basic instructions on medication use, this study introduces an educational approach that emphasizes the importance of opioid destruction. It provides patients with specialized handouts and education on safe storage, the necessity of destroying unused opioids, and options for doing so, including the use of a medication destruction bag like Deterra. By potentially reducing the number of opioids that go unused and improperly stored, this method could lower the risk of misuse and enhance overall patient safety after surgery.
What evidence suggests that opioid destruction education is effective for postoperative care?
Research has shown that teaching people how to safely dispose of leftover opioids can significantly increase the likelihood of proper disposal. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive specialized education on safe storage and destruction of opioids, including a handout and a medication destruction bag. One study found that patients who received a brochure about safe disposal methods were 10.6% more likely to dispose of their medications properly. Another study discovered that educating patients about opioid use and disposal resulted in fewer unused pills being kept at home. These findings suggest that proper education on opioid disposal can help reduce the risks associated with leftover pills, such as accidental ingestion or misuse.16789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Kristin R Daniel, PharmD
Principal Investigator
University of Nebraska
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who've had a total knee or hip replacement, are going home with an opioid prescription, and haven't used opioids before the surgery. It's not for those under 19 or anyone not prescribed opioids after discharge.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive education on safe storage and destruction of opioid medications, and are provided with a medication destruction bag before discharge
Follow-up
Participants are contacted 6-8 weeks post-surgery to complete a survey on opioid use and destruction
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Opioid destruction education
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Nebraska
Lead Sponsor