Name: Impact of Docusate De-Implementation on Invasive Laxative Use in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Thoracic Trauma
Start: 2026-05-01T09:10:00-0400
End: 2026-05-01T09:30:00-0400

Impact of Docusate De-Implementation on Invasive Laxative Use in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Thoracic Trauma

Friday May 1, 2026 9:10am - 9:30am EDT

Athena D

Title: Impact of docusate de-implementation on invasive laxative use in intensive care unit patients with thoracic trauma
Authors: Isaiah Hicks, Blake Henderson, Spencer Roper, Amanda McKinney
Objective: Explain the impact of docusate de-implementation and consider benefits to patients and institutions.
Self-Assessment Question: Which of the following are reasons that contribute to the use of docusate in many institutions? Select all that apply.
Background: The purpose of this study is to establish if the de-implementation of docusate from opioid pathways reduced the use of invasive laxatives in trauma surgical intensive care unit patients with thoracic trauma.
Methods: The primary outcome of this retrospective chart review was the use of invasive laxatives such as rectal suppositories (i.e. glycerin, bisacodyl) and enemas (i.e. sodium phosphate; lactulose; admixture of saline, mineral oil, glycerin). Mean number of non-invasive laxatives (e.g. polyethylene glycol, senna, magnesium citrate), intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), hospital length of stay (HLOS), and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) were secondary outcomes. Patients were divided into pre-removal and post-removal groups.
Results: In this study, 378 patients were screened, and 160 patients were included in statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in invasive laxative use between pre- and post-removal groups (30.9% vs 27.3%, p = 0.62). There was no statistically significant difference in mean number of non-invasive laxatives used (1.45±0.6 vs 1.48±0.5, p = 0.52), mean HLOS (8.1±5.2 days vs 8.2±5.5 days, p = 0.73), or mean MMEs (31.3±54.3 vs 39.4±42.7, p = 0.07). Mean ICU LOS was statistically significant between the pre- and post-removal groups (3.3±2.1 days vs 2.8±2.2 days, p = 0.04).
Conclusion: A reduction in invasive laxative use after the removal of docusate from opioid order pathways was not established, likely due to limited sample size. Notably, removal was associated with shorter ICU LOS. Further analysis focusing on financial impact would provide insight into potential cost savings and decreasing pill burden.
(Link to Abstract Document)

Moderators

Christele Robinson

Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emory University Hospital

Christele Robinson, PharmD, is board certified in pharmacotherapy. She is a member of the Department of Pharmacy at Emory University Hospital and currently practicing as an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Dr. Robinson obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at the... Read More →

Presenters

Isaiah Hicks

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, University of Tennessee Medical Center

Isaiah Hicks, PharmD is a PGY1 Pharmacy Resident at University of Tennessee Medical Center. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University in the state he calls home. In July of this year, Isaiah will begin his PGY2 in Emergency... Read More →

Evaluators

Cody Parker

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, St. Joseph's/Candler

Dr. Cody Parker is the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director at St. Joseph's/Candler in Savannah, GA. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Georgia and completed a Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Pharmacy Practice Residency at St. Joseph’s/Candler. Dr. Parker is a Clinical Pharmacy Sp... Read More →

Friday May 1, 2026 9:10am - 9:30am EDT
Athena D

Critical Care/Emergency Medicine (CCM), University of Tennessee Medical Center

global Y

2026 Southeastern Residency Conference

Christele Robinson

Isaiah Hicks

Cody Parker

Attendees (17)

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2026 Southeastern Residency Conference

Christele Robinson

Isaiah Hicks

Cody Parker

Attendees (17)

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