Prescribing Vs. Recommending Over-The-Counter (PROTECT) Analgesics for Patients with Postoperative Pain:

Prescribing Vs. Recommending Over-The-Counter (PROTECT) Analgesics for Patients with Postoperative Pain: a Project on Non-Opioid Pain Medication Use After Discharge from Elective Surgery

This is a research project in which two standard of care practices will be evaluated to examine the difference in outcomes. The goal is to improve patient care and safety. One group will receive prescriptions for acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and magnesium. The other group will receive the recommendation to take acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and magnesium as over-the-counter drugs in the same dosage as the prescription group. The same doses and routes for non-opioid medications will be used in both groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anticipated to be prescribed and use an opioid medication to treat acute pain after elective outpatient surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to taking acetaminophen or NSAIDs
• Significant analgesic medication use before surgery
• Inability to receive emails or phone calls for follow up assessment
• Patients who have reoperation, another surgery, or experience complications within 14 days after surgery