British journal of anaesthesia
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Retracted Publication
Discharge of postoperative patients with an opioid prescription is associated with increased persistent opioid use, healthcare expenditures and mortality: a retrospective cohort study.
The risk factors for persistent opioid use after surgical discharge and the association between opioid prescription at discharge and postoperative emergency department visits, readmission, and mortality are unclear. ⋯ In this large cohort of patients undergoing surgery, an opioid prescription on discharge was associated with a higher chance of persistent opioid use and increased risks of postoperative emergency department visits, readmission, and mortality. Minimising opioid prescriptions on discharge could improve perioperative patient outcomes.