Development of actionable quality indicators and an implementation toolkit for perioperative opioid stewardship in colorectal cancer in the UK Yorkshire and Humber region: a modified RAND consensus study

Objectives There are global concerns about the rise in opioid prescribing. Patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) are at high risk of adverse outcomes from opioid-related complications, including delayed discharge and adjuvant chemotherapy, long-term opioid use and reduced cancer-free survival. We aimed to develop a set of actionable quality indicators for opioid stewardship for patients undergoing CRC surgery, and an implementation toolkit to support professional behaviour change to improve appropriateness of perioperative opioid prescribing.

Design A five-round modified RAND consensus process was conducted in 2021–2024.

Setting 14 secondary care trusts across the UK Yorkshire and Humber region.

Participants Consultant anaesthetists and national perioperative opioid stewardship experts (expert panel) and patient and public panel.

Interventions Potential indicators were identified from a literature review, guideline search and expert panel. All potential indicators were rated on relevance and actionability (online survey, expert panel) and importance to patient care (online meeting, patient panel). A hybrid consensus meeting involving a patient representative and the expert panel discussed and rerated the indicators. An online expert survey identified potential barriers to implementation. An actionable toolkit was developed using implementation strategies and supporting resources developed where appropriate.

Results 73 potential indicators were identified. All indicators remained in the process through the online survey and patient panel. After the final meeting, four indicators remained: (1) hospital trust presence of an opioid stewardship protocol; (2) inpatient functional post-operative pain assessments; (3) patient education and discharge leaflet; and (4) senior clinician review of ‘strong’ opioids on discharge (British National Formulary definition). The number of barriers identified ranged from 8 to 22 per indicator. 49 different implementation strategies were identified for the toolkit (range 32–45 per indicator).

Conclusions We identified four actionable quality indicators and developed an implementation toolkit that represents consensus in defining quality of care in opioid stewardship for CRC surgery.