In March, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Surgery’s Executive Committee issued a six-month challenge to pediatric surgeons to decrease opioid prescribing by 50% at discharge. 

Not long ago, writing a prescription for opioids was routine practice following surgery, says Vivian Thorne, Manager, Division of Hospital and Surgical Services at AAP. With rising overdoses and opioid addiction, this new initiative was created to address prescribing practices. In response, surgeons are being asked to prescribe opioid pain killers only when clinically necessary. Some practices, which have already instituted similar policies, have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of opioid prescriptions.  [ Read more ]