They published the findings in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Thirty surgeons, pain specialists, outpatient surgical nurse practitioners, surgical residents, patients and pharmacists came to a consensus on the guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Johns Hopkins experts reviewed 20 common procedures in breast surgery, thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery and cardiac surgery, among others, to determine a pain management regimen.
2. The guidelines for the 20 procedures were:
• One to 15 tablets for 11 out of 20 procedures
• Sixteen to 20 tablets for six out of the 20 procedures
• Zero tablets for three out of the 20 procedures
3. Researchers agreed orthopedic surgery warranted the highest number of opioids. The guidelines state a range from zero to 20 pills for three of the four orthopedic procedures is acceptable.
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