Recommendations for Implementing New Opioid Prescribing Guidelines

NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital (NYU LOH) has a distinguished tradition of medical innovation and is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in patient care, education, and research. With recent changes to state and federal laws governing opioid prescription, NYU LOH initiated an in-depth review of its related clinical treatment protocols. Following a year-long analysis of division-level patterns, which were undertaken as part of a quality improvement initiative mandated by New York State, NYU LOH implemented new treatment protocols targeting opioid prescribing trends. The Capstone team evaluated the changes in prescribing patterns for each of NYU LOH’s divisions, procedures, and providers; analyzed twelve months’ worth of prescribing data—both pre- and post-protocol implementation; and conducted an extensive literature review. The team provided NYU LOH recommended strategies for aligning treatment processes and further updates to clinical treatment protocols.