We compared ICU nonopioid analgesic use, opioid use, and pain before and after Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep guideline publication at one academic center among critically ill adults receiving an opioid infusion and greater than or equal to 24 hours of mechanical ventilation after major surgery. The 2017 ( n = 77) and 2019 ( n = 57) groups were similar at baseline. The 2019 (vs 2017) patients were more likely to receive scheduled IV/oral acetaminophen (84% vs 69%; p = 0.05), less likely to receive a lidocaine patch (33% vs 50%; p = 0.05), and just as likely to receive ketamine (4% vs 3%; p = 1.0), an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (7% vs 3%; p = 0.26), or gabapentin/pregabalin (16% vs 9%; p = 0.23). Daily average opioid exposure (in IV morphine milligram equivalent) was not different (70 [42–99] [2017] vs 78 mg [49–109 mg]; p = 0.94). The 2019 (vs 2017) group spent more ICU days with severe pain ( p = 0.04). At our center, Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep guideline publication had little effect on nonopioid analgesic or opioid prescribing practices in critically ill surgical adults.

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Background Providing effective transitions-of-care (TOC) services improves outcomes for patients discharged on high-risk medications. Literature has shown that successful TOC for certain antimicrobials reduces hospital readmissions, medication errors, and improves post-discharge follow-up and laboratory monitoring. Prior to this quality improvement (QI) initiative, there was no formal TOC process for patients discharged on high-risk antimicrobial therapy (HAT) at our institution. Without standardization, only 55.1% of patients discharged on HAT had successful TOC. The aim of this initiative was to develop and implement a TOC protocol in at least 90% of patients discharged on HAT. Methods This QI initiative utilized the Institute of Healthcare Improvement model for improvement. A workgroup of key stakeholders developed a protocol to identify and standardize TOC services provided to patients discharged on HAT. Successful protocol completion was achieved if the following process metrics were evaluated, obtained, and documented prior to discharge: baseline laboratory values, pharmacokinetic monitoring, appropriate intravenous access, drug-drug interactions, medication availability, discharge medication counseling, and formal pharmacist documentation in a discharge note. Outcome metrics included referral to outpatient infectious disease (ID) follow-up, 90-day readmissions, and successful TOC. Balancing metrics included pharmacist time and protocol initiation for patients not discharged on HAT. Results Between October 2020 and May 2021, 218 patients met protocol inclusion criteria. Of these, 203/218 (93.1%) were appropriately identified with the new TOC process. The protocol was successfully followed in 78.9% of patients identified. Readmission rates were 42.8%, which was unchanged from baseline. Inpatient ID involvement increased from 80.9% to 95.7% and referral to outpatient ID follow-up from 59% to 94.8%. Conclusion This newly developed TOC protocol successfully identifies patients discharged on HAT, improves provision of TOC services to these high-risk patients, and significantly improves the rate of infectious disease involvement while inpatient and after discharge. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures