Team-Based Behavior Change for Opioid Use Elimination

This document is a case study that outlines the implementation of team-based behavior change strategies aimed at eliminating opioid use through postoperative, compounded, multidrug nerve blocks in a community hospital setting. It describes the unmet need for effective pain management in surgical patients, highlighting the significant burden of chronic postoperative pain and the associated risks of opioid use. The case study details the opioid crisis in the United States, emphasizing the need for alternative pain management strategies, including multimodal, opioid-sparing therapies such as peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs). It presents the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols adopted by Summa Health, which aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital stays. The methodology section explains the implementation of multimodal pain management, including preoperative education, intraoperative strategies to minimize opioid use, and postoperative care. The study also discusses the training and collaboration among healthcare professionals involved in the ERAS program, ensuring optimal patient care and outcomes.