Factors Influencing Variation in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing

Prescribing variation after surgery is largely influenced by prescriber-level factors, with a significant proportion of unwarranted variation in opioid quantities identified. Unwarranted covariates associated with higher opioid quantities include race, insurance status, smoking history, discharge times, and prescriber type. Targeting prescribers through education and training may effectively reduce excessive postoperative opioid prescribing practices.