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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT05875857

Patient Utilization of Opioid Destruction Bags in the Post-op Period

This is a study on how patients use and store opioid pain medications at home after surgery and what happens to left over pills when patients are done taking them. Participants will be taught the proper storage and destruction of opioid pain medications, then contacted in 6-8 weeks about pain medication used, stored disposed of.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Age range

19 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States

About this study

This is a randomized single-center prospective survey study to describe the utilization of opioid destruction bags in the post-operative period. Participants who underwent surgery for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) or Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) will be eligible for inclusion if discharging to home with an opioid prescription. Eligible participants will be randomized between two groups: 1) Control group will receive current standard of care 2) Intervention group will receive a specialized handout and patient education on the safe storage of opioid medications, importance of opioid destruction, opioid destruction options and medication destruction (Deterra) bag before discharge. Participants will be phoned/emailed six to eight weeks post-surgery to complete a survey. Attempts will be made on three separate days to reach the participant via phone. If email is preferred, three reminders will be sent to complete the survey. If participant is unreachable, they will be considered lost to follow up. Survey questions will be comprised of various question styles, including: yes/no, multiple choice, and free text answers.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

19 years of age or older Discharging to home and prescribed opioids at discharge post total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty

Exclusion criteria

Under 19 years of age Opioid medication use prior to surgery Not prescribed an opioid to take after discharge

Treatment and study plan

Opioid destruction education

Behavioral

Intervention group will receive a specialized handout and patient education on the safe storage of opioid medications, importance of opioid destruction, opioid destruction options and medication destruction (Deterra) bag before discharge.

Primary outcomes

  1. Opioid destruction

    Time frame: Six to Eight weeks post discharge

    Number of patients who report they did or plan to destroy unused opioids

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient Education

    Time frame: Six to Eight weeks post discharge

    Number of patients who recall patient education on storage and disposal of opioid medications at discharge

  2. Opioid Storage

    Time frame: Six to Eight weeks post discharge

    Type of opioid storage method used at home

  3. Opioid Destruction Method

    Time frame: Six to Eight weeks post discharge

    Type of opioid destruction method used or plan to use

  4. Leftover Pills

    Time frame: Six to Eight weeks post discharge

    Estimated number of pills leftover after completion of therapy

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Nebraska

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 25, 2023
Registry last updated
Jan 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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