Evaluation of a post-discharge pharmacist opioid review following total knee arthroplasty: a pre- and post-intervention cohort study

Background More than 70% of patients continue to use opioid medications 3-weeks following total knee arthroplasty. Post-discharge pharmacist reviews improve medication management, however it’s effect on opioid usage is not known. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the impact of post-discharge pharmacist review on opioid use following a total knee arthroplasty. Method A pilot, cohort pre- and post-intervention study was undertaken on patients who had undergone a total knee arthroplasty and were supplied an opioid upon discharge from hospital. During the intervention, patients were contacted via telephone by a pharmacist approximately five days post-discharge to review analgesic usage, provide education and advice and communicate an opioid management plan to their general practitioner. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients taking opioids 3-weeks post-discharge. Secondary endpoints included: percentage of patients obtaining an opioid refill; patient satisfaction with opioid supply and the pharmacist review. Results Pre- and post-intervention, 63 and 44 patients were included, respectively. The percentage of patients taking opioids 3-weeks post-discharge declined from 74.6 to 29.6% ( p