Patients are often prescribed more opioids than needed after surgery, which could lead to long-term use, misuse and diversion.
However, in a new study (JAMA Surg 2025 Jun 11. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2025.1672), investigators found adherence to procedure-specific guidelines that maintain the ability to manage pain could help treat patients while decreasing the risk for long-term opioid use. One way to achieve this goal is by providing clinicians with monthly feedback that includes peer comparisons