Overdose from opioids has reached epidemic proportions. Large healthcare systems can utilize existing technology to encourage responsible opioid prescribing practices. Our study measured the effects of using the electronic medical record (EMR) with direct clinician feedback to standardize opioid prescribing practices within a large healthcare system.

This retrospective multicenter study compared a 12 month pre- and post-intervention in 14 emergency departments after four interventions utilizing the EMR were implemented: (1) deleting clinician preference lists, (2) defaulting dose, frequency, and quantity, (3) standardizing formulary to encourage best practices, and (4) creating dashboards for clinician review with current opioid prescribing practices. Outlying clinicians received feedback through email and direct counseling. Total number of opioid prescriptions per 100 discharges pre- and post-intervention were recorded as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included number of prescriptions per 100 discharges/clinician exceeding 3-day supply (defined as 12 tablets), number exceeding 30 morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD)/day, and number of non-formulary prescriptions.

There were >700,000 discharges during pre- and post-intervention periods. Percentage of total number opioid prescriptions per 100 discharges decreased from 14.4% to 7.4%, a 7.0% absolute reduction, (95% CI,6.9%–7.2%). There was a 5.9% to 0.7% reduction in prescriptions exceeding 3-days, (95% CI, 5.1%–5.3%), a 4.3% to 0.3% reduction in prescriptions exceeding 30 MEDD, (95% CI, 3.9%–4.0%), and a 0.3% to 0.1% reduction in non-formulary prescriptions, (95% CI, 0.2%–0.3%).

A multi modal approach using EMR interventions which provide real time data and direct feedback to clinicians can facilitate appropriate opioid prescribing.