2026 Eastern States Conference

Title: Prescribing practices and safety of methadone for pain management in hospitalized burn patients 
Authors: Reagan Schlierf, PharmD, Sadora Franklin, PharmD, Olivia Berger, PharmD, BCPS, BCPMP, Jessica Crow, PharmD, MPH, BCCCP, FCCM, Traci Grucz, PharmD, BCCCP, Julie Caffrey, DO, FACOS, FABA, Haley Fribance, PharmD, BCCCP, CNSC 
Objective: Audience members will be able to describe the prescribing practices of methadone for pain management in burn patients at an academic medical center. 
Self-Assessment Question: True or False: Methadone has been used for pain management in burn patients, but more data are needed to standardize regimens and determine efficacy.
Background: The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the initiation, titration, and safety of methadone in hospitalized burn patients. Methadone for this indication has garnered interest, due to its unique profile, but has not been standardized. 
Methods: This retrospective, single cohort, observational study identified adult patients who were initiated on methadone during their admission for a burn managed by the JHBMC burn service. Patients on methadone prior to admission or initiated on methadone for opioid use disorder during their hospitalization were excluded. Systematic abstraction of data was performed through manual chart review. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize methadone initiation and titration, describe the patient population in which methadone was initiated, and identify the prevalence of adverse effects related to methadone use, such as QTc prolongation, serotonin syndrome, or naloxone administration, for the duration of the treatment period.  
Results: The initiation and titration of methadone, patient population characteristics, and documentation of adverse events will be described, and results will be presented. 
Conclusion: It is anticipated that the results of this retrospective chart review will demonstrate current prescribing practices and specific medication related adverse events of methadone for pain in burn patients at an academic medical center.