A program to help reduce opioid prescriptions after surgery for older adults

A hospital discharge opioid taper support intervention to improve post-operative opioid prescribing

NIH-funded research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11077855

This study is looking to help older adults who have had orthopedic surgery by creating a personalized plan for safely reducing their use of opioids, with support from their healthcare team and follow-up calls to make sure they’re doing well.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlbert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bronx, United States)
Project IDNIH-11077855 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to improve the way opioids are prescribed to older adults after surgery by implementing a new support intervention. It involves creating a personalized opioid tapering schedule for patients, which is integrated into the electronic health record system, along with automated prescriptions and follow-up support via phone. The study will involve healthcare providers and patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, collecting data on their experiences and outcomes to assess the effectiveness of this intervention. By focusing on older adults, the research seeks to minimize the risks associated with excessive opioid use during post-operative care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are younger than 65 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer opioid prescribing practices for older adults, reducing the risk of opioid-related harms.

How similar studies have performed: Similar interventions have shown promise in reducing opioid prescriptions, but this specific approach has not been rigorously tested before.

Where this research is happening

Bronx, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.