Hospitals across the country are reevaluating their approach to prescribing as doctors seek to stem the flow of opioids into communities. Doctors in NYU Langone’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery have been leading an institution-wide effort to rethink the role of opioids in patient care, reducing and in some cases eliminating the use of opioids for postoperative pain control.

“Sometimes you do needs opioids,” says Charla F. Fischer, MD, associate professor in the department and surgeon at NYU Langone’s Spine Center, “but we’re looking at alternative methods. In my opinion, I think that’s a better, more holistic way of treating pain than just giving someone opioids.”

Although NYU Langone is still collecting data about the impact the new protocols are having, Kirk A. Campbell, MD, assistant professor in the department, says the change has been clear. “We’re being better stewards of the narcotics we’re prescribing,” he says.

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