Postoperative Nudges to Reduce Opioid Prescribing

"Surgeons in this arm will receive an email with the following content at the end of each month in which at least two of their patients are discharged with an opioid prescription that exceeds the prescribing guideline for the procedure performed.~Dear Dr. \[Name\],~In \[month\], at least XX of your patients were discharged with opioid prescriptions exceeding the amounts recommended by safety guidelines for these procedures.~For patient safety, Sutter Health recommends prescribing within the ranges below for these procedures. Doing so will also meet best-practice safety guidelines for post-operative opioid prescribing.~We will continue to send you opioid prescribing safety reports.~Sincerely, \[Signature\]~\[Table displaying recommended ranges of 5mg oxycodone tablets for each procedure\]"

"Surgeons in this arm will receive an email with the following content at the end of each month in which at least two of their patients are discharged with an opioid prescription that exceeds the prescribing guideline for the procedure performed.~Dear Dr. \[Name\],~In \[month\], at least XX of your patients were discharged with opioid prescriptions exceeding the amount prescribed by YY% of your peers for these procedures.~YY% of \[specialty\] surgeons at Sutter Health prescribe within the ranges below for these procedures.~We will continue to send you opioid prescribing safety reports.~Sincerely, \[Signature\]~\[Table displaying recommended ranges of 5mg oxycodone tablets for each procedure\]~The ranges of 5mg oxycodone tablets displayed will be the same as the ranges stipulated by the prescribing guidelines, but this nudge will not mention guidelines."