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Transitions of Care for Postoperative Opioid Prescribing in Previously Opioid-Naïve Patients in the USA: A Retrospective Review

  • Among surgical patients who developed new persistent opioid use, surgeons provided the majority of opioid prescriptions during the first three months after surgery.
  • By nine to twelve months after surgery, however, the majority of opioid prescriptions were provided by primary care physicians.
  • Enhanced care coordination between surgeons and primary care physicians could allow earlier identification of patients at risk for new persistent opioid use to prevent misuse and dependence.


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Klueh MP, Hu HM, Howard RA, et al. Transitions of Care for Postoperative Opioid Prescribing in Previously Opioid-Naïve Patients in the USA: a Retrospective Review. J Gen Intern Med. 2018;33(10):1685-1691.