Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
14-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
14-5-2019 4:00 PM
Description
Purpose: Intravenous acetaminophen was introduced to the WellStar North Fulton hospital formulary in February 2018. Hospital protocol restricts intravenous acetaminophen use to 24 hours doses in postoperative patients who are not candidates for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy for the relief of mild to moderate pain, in order to reduce opioid utilization in the operative setting. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance with restrictions for use of intravenous acetaminophen among surgical patients at our institution.
Methods: The electronic health record system was used to identify surgical patients who received at least one dose of intravenous acetaminophen from February 2018 until August 2018. The following data was collected: patient age, gender, 24-hour post-operative opioid use in IV morphine equivalents, and reported adverse events.
Results: In total, 70 records were evaluated in this study. The results showed 88% appropriate use of intravenous acetaminophen with hospital policy. The average number of total dosage of intravenous acetaminophen was 2.31 with median frequency of every six hour. Additionally, there was a higher percentage of opioid use in the non-appropriateness group compare to appropriateness group (78% vs. 73%).
Conclusion: This study showed 88% compliance with the hospital policy for the use of intravenous acetaminophen among surgical patients from February 2018 until August 2018. However, statistically significant differences of opioid use between the non-appropriate group compared to the appropriate group were not evaluated due to the sample size.
Embargo Period
1-28-2020
Medication use evaluation of intravenous acetaminophen in surgical patients
Suwanee, GA
Purpose: Intravenous acetaminophen was introduced to the WellStar North Fulton hospital formulary in February 2018. Hospital protocol restricts intravenous acetaminophen use to 24 hours doses in postoperative patients who are not candidates for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy for the relief of mild to moderate pain, in order to reduce opioid utilization in the operative setting. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the compliance with restrictions for use of intravenous acetaminophen among surgical patients at our institution.
Methods: The electronic health record system was used to identify surgical patients who received at least one dose of intravenous acetaminophen from February 2018 until August 2018. The following data was collected: patient age, gender, 24-hour post-operative opioid use in IV morphine equivalents, and reported adverse events.
Results: In total, 70 records were evaluated in this study. The results showed 88% appropriate use of intravenous acetaminophen with hospital policy. The average number of total dosage of intravenous acetaminophen was 2.31 with median frequency of every six hour. Additionally, there was a higher percentage of opioid use in the non-appropriateness group compare to appropriateness group (78% vs. 73%).
Conclusion: This study showed 88% compliance with the hospital policy for the use of intravenous acetaminophen among surgical patients from February 2018 until August 2018. However, statistically significant differences of opioid use between the non-appropriate group compared to the appropriate group were not evaluated due to the sample size.