Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalizations and readmissions for opioid dependence and overdose: nationally representative data

Modeling the Therapeutic Process of Patients with Cocaine Use Disorders: A Guide for Predicting Readmission

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cocaine use disorders have very high readmission rates. Our aim was to model the relationships between attributes of patients with cocaine use disorder at the beginning of treatment, therapeutic process indicators of time in treatment or proportion of appointments attended, and treatment outcomes, including outcomes at discharge and non-readmissions posttreatment as indicators of therapeutic success.

METHOD

A retrospective observational design was used with 10,298 cocaine use disorder patients. Electronic health records were used for statistical analysis of the data. Randomized subsample 1 (n = 5,150) was used for exploratory analysis and subsample 2 (n = 5,148) for modeling relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

Patients attributes at intake (e.g., legal services as the source of referral) were of limited significance in explaining time in treatment, proportion of appointments attended, and treatment outcomes. Time in treatment and proportion of appointments attended emerged as significant factors in explaining outcomes at discharge. However, readmissions were primarily explained by time in treatment and outcomes at discharge, although referrals to addiction centers by health services also appeared to be relevant for explaining readmission.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that maintaining a sufficient appointment attendance rate and remaining in treatment for a longer duration are critical therapeutic process indicators for explaining outcomes at the point of discharge and therapeutic success, as indicated by a reduced likelihood of readmissions. Patients who remained in treatment for an extended period were found to have a reduced risk of future readmissions. In addition, our study highlights the importance of maintaining a satisfactory appointment attendance rate to attain successful short- and medium-term therapeutic discharge outcomes. These guidelines could help to increase the efficiency of patient treatment and alleviate the suffering of both patients and their families.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors among hospitalized patients with substance use disorders: Findings from a retrospective cohort study of a Canadian inpatient addiction medicine service

INTRODUCTION

Inpatient addiction medicine services (AMS) were developed in response to the growing needs of hospitalized individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). AMS aim to enable timely initiation of pharmacologic treatment, build hospital capacity to support patients who use substances, and facilitate transition to community services. As an emerging service being adopted in hospitals across North America, the model of care, populations served, substance use trends, and clinical trajectory has not been widely described. This work aims to characterize patients accessing care through the AMS, establishing predictors for clinical trajectories in hospital including patient-initiated discharge (PID) and hospital re-admission.

METHODS

Using a retrospective cohort design, we describe all patients seen by the AMS between 2018 and 2022 across four hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario. Patients seen by AMS were hospitalized and qualified for a SUD based on DSM-V criteria. The study used descriptive statistics to describe the cohort, where appropriate adjusted time-to-event survival models were constructed to identify predictors for hospital re-admission.

RESULTS

Patients seen by the AMS (n = 695) frequently lacked access to primary care (47.0 %) and less than half (44.3 %) were receiving community addiction services on admission. The majority met criteria for opioid use disorder (OUD), with injecting being the primary consumption route (54.8 %). Patients exhibited high acuity, with 34.2 % requiring critical care measures. Provision of OAT substantially increased to 77.9 % of patients (29 % on admission). PID occurred in 17.8 % of patients and was significantly associated with an admitting diagnosis of suicidal ideation, infection, heart failure, and distinct substance use profiles including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin use (p < 0.05). PID conferred a 66 % increased risk for re-admission (Hazard-Ratio: 1.66; 95 % CI: 1.08, 2.54; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Patients served by AMS primarily include individuals with OUD presenting with the associated medical complications and substantial deficits in the social determinants of health (e.g., high housing insecurity, poverty, and disability). PID occurs among 1 in 5 people and is associated with higher rates of re-admission. By identifying individuals at higher risk of adverse outcomes, these results provide an opportunity to improve outcomes in this high-risk, high-vulnerability population.

Factors associated with readmission to alcohol and opioid detoxification in the Alaska Interior

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A "revolving door" of repeated admissions to detoxification treatment facilities has long plagued alcohol and drug use patients, yet few studies examine factors associated with readmission. This study examined risk factors for readmission to alcohol and opioid detoxification in a sample from the Alaska Interior.

METHODS

Data were extracted from electronic medical records for admissions between 2012 and 2016 at an inpatient detoxification facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. Data from 1014 patients admitted for alcohol detoxification and 267 patients admitted for opioid detoxification were analyzed. The analysis employed descriptive statistics for risk factors (substance use history, adverse life experiences, and psychosocial functioning) and prevalence of readmission to either alcohol or opioid detoxification. Inferential analyses used marginal standardization to calculate differences in readmission risk by patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Male, Alaska Native/American Indian, single-never married patients, and those seeking work were at higher risk for readmission to alcohol detoxification, while those with stable housing were at reduced risk. Being single-never married and completing detoxification treatment reduced readmission to opioid detoxification. Family involvement in detoxification reduced readmission risk for both alcohol and opioid patients.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Further research that investigates the mechanism(s) by which family may act as a protective factor may be efficacious in eliminating the "revolving door" of detoxification.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

This study is the first to examine both alcohol and opioid use risk and protective factors in the Alaska Interior. The results can be used in the development of interventions for subpopulations with high detoxification readmission rates.