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Criswell A, Duck AA, Hall KC. Willingness to Provide Naloxone Resources for Patients at Risk of Opioid Overdose: A National Survey of Emergency Registered Nurses. J Emerg Nurs 2024:S0099-1767(24)00163-6. [PMID: 39001772 DOI: 10.1016/j.jen.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid-related events continue to claim lives in the United States at alarming rates. Naloxone-dispensing rates fall dramatically short of national expectations. Emergency registered nurses are uniquely poised to connect at-risk patients with naloxone resources. This study sought to (1) describe the emergency registered nurses' willingness to provide naloxone resources and (2) explore variables that may influence the nurse's willingness to provide resources. METHODS A cross-sectional, survey-based design was deployed using an online branch logic approach to include a national sample of emergency registered nurses. The Willingness to Provide, a validated questionnaire, measured the registered nurse's willingness to provide naloxone resources for patients at risk of opioid overdose. Eight variables were assessed for potential influence on willingness. RESULTS A total of 159 nurses from 32 states and the District of Columbia completed the online survey via the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. The results revealed a mean Willingness to Provide score of 38.64 indicating a willingness to provide naloxone resources. A statistically significant relationship was identified between the nurse's willingness and years of nursing experience (P = .001), knowledge (P = .015), desire (P = .001), and responsibility (P < .001). DISCUSSION In this representative sample, emergency nurses are willing to provide naloxone resources; furthermore, results indicate that higher knowledge, desire, and responsibility scores increase the nurse's willingness to provide naloxone resources; with education and clear expectations, emergency nurses may be able to improve the connection of patients at risk of opioid overdose with naloxone, a potentially lifesaving connection.
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Born C, Schwarz R, Böttcher TP, Hein A, Krcmar H. The role of information systems in emergency department decision-making-a literature review. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2024; 31:1608-1621. [PMID: 38781289 PMCID: PMC11187435 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocae096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Healthcare providers employ heuristic and analytical decision-making to navigate the high-stakes environment of the emergency department (ED). Despite the increasing integration of information systems (ISs), research on their efficacy is conflicting. Drawing on related fields, we investigate how timing and mode of delivery influence IS effectiveness. Our objective is to reconcile previous contradictory findings, shedding light on optimal IS design in the ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We coded the ISs' timing as heuristic or analytical, their mode of delivery as active for automatic alerts and passive when requiring user-initiated information retrieval, and their effect on process, economic, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Our analysis included 83 studies. During early heuristic decision-making, most active interventions were ineffective, while passive interventions generally improved outcomes. In the analytical phase, the effects were reversed. Passive interventions that facilitate information extraction consistently improved outcomes. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that the effectiveness of active interventions negatively correlates with the amount of information received during delivery. During early heuristic decision-making, when information overload is high, physicians are unresponsive to alerts and proactively consult passive resources. In the later analytical phases, physicians show increased receptivity to alerts due to decreased diagnostic uncertainty and information quantity. Interventions that limit information lead to positive outcomes, supporting our interpretation. CONCLUSION We synthesize our findings into an integrated model that reveals the underlying reasons for conflicting findings from previous reviews and can guide practitioners in designing ISs in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius Born
- School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Romy Schwarz
- School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Timo Phillip Böttcher
- School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Andreas Hein
- Institute of Information Systems and Digital Business, University of St. Gallen, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Helmut Krcmar
- School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
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Sidlak A, Dibble B, Dhaliwal M, Bottone P, Marino R, Henry L, Howell J. Analysis of rising cases of adolescent opioid use presentations to the emergency department and their management. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111136. [PMID: 38518662 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to answer the question of how adolescents (ages 12-17 years old) with opioid-related presentations are currently managed in the ED. The two main outcomes were the proportion of visits where naloxone and buprenorphine were both used and prescribed, and the rate of revisits to the emergency department in the six months following ED presentation. METHODS This was a multi-center retrospective cross-sectional study. We studied patients presenting to the ED who were 12-17 years old with an opioid-related presentation. RESULTS Two-hundred and thirty-one patients were identified out of 571 encounters screened. Of these presentations, 77/231 (33%) were girls and 154/231 (67%) were boys. The majority of patients were Latino (64%; n=147); 26% were white (n=59), 6% were middle eastern or Arab (14), and 4% were black (10). Incidence of opioid use disorder per 100,000 presentations increased by 2800% from 2014 to 2022 (21/100,000 +/- 10 [2014] to 600/100,000 +/- 50 [2022]). A plurality of cases was related to opioid withdrawal (42%; 97). On discharge from the ED, 29% of patients received naloxone. For patients in withdrawal, 4% received a prescription for buprenorphine. Twenty-nine percent of patients had a return to the ED in the six months following initial visit. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent opioid-related presentations to the ED are rapidly increasing. Increasing ED presentations, compounded by a high 6-month revisit rate, pose a management challenge amid limited outpatient resources for this population. Opioid agonist therapy and naloxone are not routinely provided. Increasing the use of both are two ways to improve the quality of care for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Sidlak
- Inova Fairfax Hospital, Emergency Department, Falls Church, VA, United States.
| | - Brent Dibble
- Inova Fairfax Hospital, Emergency Department, Falls Church, VA, United States
| | - Mannet Dhaliwal
- University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Paul Bottone
- Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ryan Marino
- University Hospitals, Division of Toxicology and Addiction Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Linda Henry
- Inova Fairfax Hospital, Medicine Service Line, Falls Church, VA, United States
| | - John Howell
- Inova Fairfax Hospital, Emergency Department, Falls Church, VA, United States
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Zinsli KA, Banta-Green CJ, Whiteside LK, Hood J, Kingston S, Tinsley J, Moreno C, Glick SN. Trends and correlates of naloxone possession and use among people who inject drugs in Seattle, Washington. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023:104272. [PMID: 38057247 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naloxone distribution has been implemented as an essential opioid overdose prevention measure for people who inject drugs (PWID), and many jurisdictions in the United States have implemented policy change to increase naloxone access. This project describes temporal trends in and correlates of naloxone possession and use among PWID in the Seattle area of Washington State. METHODS Using a repeat cross-sectional design, we utilized two sets of serial cross-sectional surveys of PWID, which included biennial surveys of Seattle area syringe service program (SSP) clients and community-based National HIV Behavioral Surveillance surveys of PWID (NHBS-PWID) conducted from 2012-2019. Survey participant characteristics were descriptively compared between participants reporting naloxone possession to those not reporting naloxone possession. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios for naloxone possession comparing later to earlier survey years, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, primary drug, and experiencing and witnessing an overdose in the past 12 months. RESULTS Naloxone possession and use increased in both survey populations. The prevalence of possessing naloxone was 2.8 times greater [2019 vs. 2013= 95% CI: 2.40-3.33] among SSP participants and 2.8 times greater [2018 vs. 2012=95% CI: 2.41-3.16] among NHBS-PWID participants for the most recent time period. The prevalence of naloxone use was 1.3 times greater [2019 vs. 2017= 95% CI: 1.13-1.58] and 2.1 times greater [2015 vs. 2012=95% CI:1.62-2.73] among SSP and NHBS-PWID participants, respectively, for the most recent time period. CONCLUSION Naloxone possession and use increased in PWID in the Seattle area from 2012-2019, and is, at least in part, likely the result of numerous policy and programmatic efforts to facilitate easier naloxone accessibility in the wake of dramatic increases in overdose mortality. Further research on disparities in naloxone possession are needed to ensure equitable access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin A Zinsli
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA.
| | - Caleb J Banta-Green
- Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lauren K Whiteside
- School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julia Hood
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Susan Kingston
- Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joe Tinsley
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Courtney Moreno
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara N Glick
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Sugarman OK, Breithaupt J, Wang X, Bachhuber MA. Characteristics and health service use of Medicaid-insured individuals filling naloxone under a standing order in Louisiana. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:904-908.e1. [PMID: 36653275 PMCID: PMC11059200 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naloxone distribution is a key intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths. On January 23, 2017, Louisiana implemented a standing order that permits pharmacies to dispense naloxone to patients without a patient-specific prescription. OBJECTIVES To examine the characteristics and health service use of Louisiana Medicaid members filling naloxone under the standing order. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Louisiana Medicaid members from January 23, 2017 to December 31, 2019. We extracted fee-for-service claims and managed care encounters for naloxone dispensed under the standing order. RESULTS Overall, there were 2053 naloxone fills by 1912 unique individuals. The total number of naloxone fills increased from 22 in 2017 to 1218 in 2019. Most members (n = 1,586, 83.0%) received any type of health service and 20.4% (n = 391) received an opioid-related health service in the 30 days prior to filling naloxone. Additionally, 12.7% (n = 242) of members had received medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and 42.6% (n = 815) filled a prescription opioid analgesic within the 60 days prior to filling naloxone. Nineteen members (1.0%) had an emergency department visit for overdose within 90 days after filling naloxone. CONCLUSION Standing orders play an important role in providing access to naloxone, even among Medicaid members who had recent encounters with health care providers. We identified multiple opportunities to improve naloxone prescribing among providers caring for Medicaid-insured people who use opioids, including prescribers of opioid analgesics or MOUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia K. Sugarman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Baltimore, MD; Program Manager, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, School of Medicine, Section of Community and Population Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - Jarrod Breithaupt
- University of Louisiana, Monroe, College of Pharmacy, Office of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Monroe, LA
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- University of Louisiana, Monroe, College of Pharmacy, Office of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Monroe, LA
| | - Marcus A. Bachhuber
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, School of Medicine, Section of Community and Population Medicine, New Orleans, LA
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Jennings LK, Ward R, Pekar E, Szwast E, Sox L, Hying J, Mccauley J, Obeid JS, Lenert LA. The effectiveness of a noninterruptive alert to increase prescription of take-home naloxone in emergency departments. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2023; 30:683-691. [PMID: 36718091 PMCID: PMC10018256 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Opioid-related overdose (OD) deaths continue to increase. Take-home naloxone (THN), after treatment for an OD in an emergency department (ED), is a recommended but under-utilized practice. To promote THN prescription, we developed a noninterruptive decision support intervention that combined a detailed OD documentation template with a reminder to use the template that is automatically inserted into a provider's note by decision rules. We studied the impact of the combined intervention on THN prescribing in a longitudinal observational study. METHODS ED encounters involving an OD were reviewed before and after implementation of the reminder embedded in the physicians' note to use an advanced OD documentation template for changes in: (1) use of the template and (2) prescription of THN. Chi square tests and interrupted time series analyses were used to assess the impact. Usability and satisfaction were measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Net Promoter Score. RESULTS In 736 OD cases defined by International Classification of Disease version 10 diagnosis codes (247 prereminder and 489 postreminder), the documentation template was used in 0.0% and 21.3%, respectively (P < .0001). The sensitivity and specificity of the reminder for OD cases were 95.9% and 99.8%, respectively. Use of the documentation template led to twice the rate of prescribing of THN (25.7% vs 50.0%, P < .001). Of 19 providers responding to the survey, 74% of SUS responses were in the good-to-excellent range and 53% of providers were Net Promoters. CONCLUSIONS A noninterruptive decision support intervention was associated with higher THN prescribing in a pre-post study across a multiinstitution health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey K Jennings
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ralph Ward
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ekaterina Pekar
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Elizabeth Szwast
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Luke Sox
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Joseph Hying
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jenna Mccauley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Addiction Sciences Division, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jihad S Obeid
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Leslie A Lenert
- Corresponding Author: Leslie A. Lenert, MD, Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 22 West Edge Suite 13, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
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Differences in Self-identification of Opioid Overdose Risk and Naloxone Perceptions Between Therapeutic and Nontherapeutic Opioid Populations. J Addict Med 2023; 17:197-205. [PMID: 36148998 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Efforts to improve low naloxone uptake to mitigate the current opioid crisis have included coprescribing naloxone with opioid medications and, more recently, expansion through over-the-counter availability, the latter of which necessitates self-identification of overdose risk by consumers. This study sought to understand perceptions of opioid overdose risk and naloxone among distinct opioid populations at elevated risk for overdose. METHODS A cross-sectional, online survey was provided to 2 opioid populations in June 2020. First, chronic pain opioid managed (CPOM; n = 190) individuals currently treated with an opioid prescription (either >50 daily morphine milligram equivalents [73.2%] or benzodiazepine co-use [52.6%]), restricted by confounders. Second, individuals with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD; n = 152) previously participating in a national opioid surveillance study of new entrants to substance use treatment centers. RESULTS Risk perceptions significantly differed, with 60.0% (CPOM) versus 28.9% (OUD) reporting that they were "not at all concerned about overdosing," and 62.1% (CPOM) versus 19.1% (OUD) perceiving themselves as having "no risk" of overdose. Perceived need for naloxone was lower among CPOM versus OUD patients (48.3% and 71.8%, respectively), whereas 22.6% and 35.0%, respectively, indicated any likelihood of obtaining naloxone in the future. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that a significant proportion of both samples lacked the ability to self-identify their risk of overdose and self-select themselves as needing naloxone, with gaps being more prominent in the CPOM sample. A multi-intervention framework that addresses distinct pathways of behavioral change between unique opioid populations should be considered in conversations surrounding potential transitions to over-the-counter naloxone.
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Heiman E, Lanh S, Moran TP, Steck A, Carpenter J. Electronic Advisories Increase Naloxone Prescribing Across Health Care Settings. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 38:1402-1409. [PMID: 36376626 PMCID: PMC9663180 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07876-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naloxone is a life-saving, yet underprescribed, medication that is recommended to be provided to patients at high risk of opioid overdose. OBJECTIVE We set out to evaluate the changes in prescriber practices due to the use of an electronic health record (EHR) advisory that prompted opioid prescribers to co-prescribe naloxone when prescribing a high-dose opioid. It also provided prescribers with guidance on decreasing opioid doses for safety. DESIGN This was a retrospective chart abstraction study looking at all opioid prescriptions and all naloxone prescriptions written as emergency department (ED) discharge, inpatient hospital discharge, or outpatient medications, between July 1, 2018, and February 1, 2020. The EHR advisory went live on June 1, 2019. SUBJECTS Included in the analysis were all adult patients seen in the abovementioned settings at a large county hospital and associated outpatient clinics. MAIN MEASURES We performed an interrupted time series analysis looking at naloxone prescriptions and daily opioid dosing in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), before and after initiation of the EHR advisory. KEY RESULTS The EHR advisory was associated with changes in prescribers' behavior, leading to increased naloxone prescriptions and decreased prescribed opioid doses. CONCLUSIONS EHR advisories are an effective systems-level intervention to enhance the safety of prescribed opioids and increase rates of naloxone prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Heiman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Sothivin Lanh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Summa Health System, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Tim P Moran
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alaina Steck
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph Carpenter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Lowenstein M, Sangha HK, Spadaro A, Perrone J, Delgado MK, Agarwal AK. Patient perspectives on naloxone receipt in the emergency department: a qualitative exploration. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:97. [PMID: 36028882 PMCID: PMC9412772 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00677-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency departments (EDs) are important venues for the distribution of naloxone to patients at high risk of opioid overdose, but less is known about patient perceptions on naloxone or best practices for patient education and communication. Our aim was to conduct an in-depth exploration of knowledge and attitudes toward ED naloxone distribution among patients who received a naloxone prescription. Methods We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 25 adult participants seen and discharged from three urban, academic EDs in Philadelphia, PA, with a naloxone prescription between November 2020 and February 2021. Interviews focused on awareness of naloxone as well as attitudes and experiences receiving naloxone in the ED. We used thematic content analysis to identify key themes reflecting patient attitudes and experiences.
Results Of the 25 participants, 72% had previously witnessed an overdose and 48% had personally experienced a non-fatal overdose. Nineteen participants (76%) self-disclosed a history of substance use or overdose, and one reported receiving an opioid prescription during their ED visit and no history of substance use. In interviews, we identified wide variability in participant levels of knowledge about overdose risk, the role of naloxone in reducing risk, and naloxone access. A subset of participants was highly engaged with community harm reduction resources and well versed in naloxone access and use. A second subset was familiar with naloxone, but largely obtained it through healthcare settings such as the ED, while a final group was largely unfamiliar with naloxone. While most participants expressed positive attitudes about receiving naloxone from the ED, the quality of discussions with ED providers was variable, with some participants not even aware they were receiving a naloxone prescription until discharge.
Conclusions Naloxone prescribing in the ED was acceptable and valued by most participants, but there are missed opportunities for communication and education. These findings underscore the critical role that EDs play in mitigating risks for patients who are not engaged with other healthcare or community health providers and can inform future work about the effective implementation of harm reduction strategies in ED settings. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-022-00677-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Lowenstein
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 122 Blockley Hall, 421 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Hareena K Sangha
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anthony Spadaro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeanmarie Perrone
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Kit Delgado
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anish K Agarwal
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Nelson SD, McCoy AB, Rector H, Teare AJ, Barrett TW, Sigworth EA, Chen Q, Edwards DA, Marcovitz DE, Wright A. Assessment of a Naloxone Coprescribing Alert for Patients at Risk of Opioid Overdose: A Quality Improvement Project. Anesth Analg 2022; 135:26-34. [PMID: 35343932 PMCID: PMC10823563 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients taking high doses of opioids, or taking opioids in combination with other central nervous system depressants, are at increased risk of opioid overdose. Coprescribing the opioid-reversal agent naloxone is an essential safety measure, recommended by the surgeon general, but the rate of naloxone coprescribing is low. Therefore, we set out to determine whether a targeted clinical decision support alert could increase the rate of naloxone coprescribing. METHODS We conducted a before-after study from January 2019 to April 2021 at a large academic health system in the Southeast. We developed a targeted point of care decision support notification in the electronic health record to suggest ordering naloxone for patients who have a high risk of opioid overdose based on a high morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) ≥90 mg, concomitant benzodiazepine prescription, or a history of opioid use disorder or opioid overdose. We measured the rate of outpatient naloxone prescribing as our primary measure. A multivariable logistic regression model with robust variance to adjust for prescriptions within the same prescriber was implemented to estimate the association between alerts and naloxone coprescribing. RESULTS The baseline naloxone coprescribing rate in 2019 was 0.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.31) naloxone prescriptions per 100 opioid prescriptions. After alert implementation, the naloxone coprescribing rate increased to 4.51 (95% CI, 4.33-4.68) naloxone prescriptions per 100 opioid prescriptions (P < .001). The adjusted odds of naloxone coprescribing after alert implementation were approximately 28 times those during the baseline period (95% CI, 15-52). CONCLUSIONS A targeted decision support alert for patients at risk for opioid overdose significantly increased the rate of naloxone coprescribing and was relatively easy to build.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D. Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Allison B. McCoy
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Hayley Rector
- Department of Pharmacy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Andrew J. Teare
- Department of HealthIT, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Tyler W. Barrett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Qingxia Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David A. Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David E. Marcovitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Adam Wright
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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11
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Lenert LA, Zhu V, Jennings L, McCauley JL, Obeid JS, Ward R, Hassanpour S, Marsch LA, Hogarth M, Shipman P, Harris DR, Talbert JC. Enhancing research data infrastructure to address the opioid epidemic: the Opioid Overdose Network (O2-Net). JAMIA Open 2022; 5:ooac055. [PMID: 35783072 PMCID: PMC9243402 DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid Overdose Network is an effort to generalize and adapt an existing research data network, the Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) Network, to support design of trials for survivors of opioid overdoses presenting to emergency departments (ED). Four institutions (Medical University of South Carolina [MUSC], Dartmouth Medical School [DMS], University of Kentucky [UK], and University of California San Diego [UCSD]) worked to adapt the ACT network. The approach that was taken to enhance the ACT network focused on 4 activities: cloning and extending the ACT infrastructure, developing an e-phenotype and corresponding registry, developing portable natural language processing tools to enhance data capture, and developing automated documentation templates to enhance extended data capture. Overall, initial results suggest that tailoring of existing multipurpose federated research networks to specific tasks is feasible; however, substantial efforts are required for coordination of the subnetwork and development of new tools for extension of available data. The initial output of the project was a new approach to decision support for the prescription of naloxone for home use in the ED, which is under further study within the network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Lenert
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Vivienne Zhu
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lindsey Jennings
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jenna L McCauley
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jihad S Obeid
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ralph Ward
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Saeed Hassanpour
- Biomedical Data Science Department, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Lisa A Marsch
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Michael Hogarth
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Perry Shipman
- Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Daniel R Harris
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jeffery C Talbert
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Potaka KL, Freeman R, Soo D, Nguyen NA, Sim TF, Moullin JC. Retrospective analysis of patterns of opioid overdose and interventions delivered at a tertiary hospital emergency department: impact of COVID-19. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:62. [PMID: 35397487 PMCID: PMC8994187 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00604-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Opioid-related overdoses cause substantial numbers of preventable deaths. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist available in take-home naloxone (THN) kits as a lifesaving measure for opioid overdose. As the emergency department (ED) is a primary point of contact for patients with high-risk opioid use, evidence-based recommendations from the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia THN practice guidelines include the provision of THN, accompanied by psychosocial interventions. However, implementation of these guidelines in practice is unknown. This study investigated ED opioid-related overdose presentations, concordance of post-overdose interventions with the THN practice guidelines, and the impact, if any, of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on case presentations. Methods A single-centre retrospective audit was conducted at a major tertiary hospital of patients presenting with overdoses involving opioids and non-opioids between March to August 2019 and March to August 2020. Patient presentations and interventions delivered by the paramedics, ED and upon discharge from the ED were collated from medical records and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi square and independent T-tests. Results The majority (66.2%) of patients presented to hospital with mixed drug overdoses involving opioids and non-opioids. Pharmaceutical opioids were implicated in a greater proportion (72.1%) of overdoses than illicit opioids. Fewer patients presented in March to August 2020 as compared with 2019 (26 vs. 42), and mixed drug overdoses were more frequent in 2020 than 2019 (80.8% vs. 57.1%). Referral to outpatient psychology (22.0%) and drug and alcohol services (20.3%) were amongst the most common post-discharge interventions. Naloxone was provided to 28 patients (41.2%) by the paramedics and/or ED. No patients received THN upon discharge. Conclusions This study highlights opportunities to improve ED provision of THN and other interventions post-opioid overdose. Large-scale multi-centre studies are required to ascertain the capacity of EDs to provide THN and the impact of COVID-19 on opioid overdose presentations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-022-00604-w.
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Evaluating disparities in prescribing of naloxone after emergency department treatment of opioid overdose. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022; 139:108785. [PMID: 35537918 PMCID: PMC9187615 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients who initially survive opioid-related overdose are at high risk for subsequent mortality. Our health system aimed to evaluate the presence of disparities in prescribing naloxone following opioid overdose. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients seen in our health system, which comprises two academic centers and eight community hospitals. Eligible patients had at least one visit to any of our hospital's emergency departments (EDs) with a diagnosis code indicating opioid-related overdose between May 1, 2018, and April 30, 2021. The primary outcome measure was prescription of nasal naloxone after at least one visit for opioid-related overdose during the study period. RESULTS The health system had 1348 unique patients who presented 1593 times to at least one of the EDs with opioid overdose. Of included patients, 580 (43.2%) received one or more prescriptions for naloxone. The majority (68.9%, n = 925) were male. For race/ethnicity, 74.5% (1000) were Non-Hispanic White, 8.0% (n = 108) were Non-Hispanic Black, and 13.0% (n = 175) were Hispanic/Latinx. Compared with the reference age group of 16-24 years, only those 65+ were less likely to receive naloxone (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.84). The study found no difference for gender (male aOR 1.23, 95% CI 0.97-1.57 compared to female). Hispanic/Latinx patients were more likely to receive a prescription when compared to Non-Hispanic White patients (aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.22-2.44), while no difference occurred between Non-Hispanic Black compared to Non-Hispanic White patients (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.87-1.98). CONCLUSIONS Naloxone prescribing after overdose in our system was suboptimal, with fewer than half of patients with an overdose diagnosis code receiving this lifesaving and evidence-based intervention. Patients who were Hispanic/Latinx were more likely to receive naloxone than other race and ethnicity groups, and patients who were older were less likely to receive it. Health systems need ongoing equity-informed implementation of programs to expand access to naloxone to all patients at risk.
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14
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Chua KP, Dahlem CHY, Nguyen T, Brummett CM, Conti RM, Bohnert AS, Dora-Laskey AD, Kocher KE. Naloxone and Buprenorphine Prescribing Following US Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Opioid Overdose: August 2019 to April 2021. Ann Emerg Med 2022; 79:225-236. [PMID: 34802772 PMCID: PMC8860890 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Nonfatal emergency department (ED) visits for opioid overdose are important opportunities to prescribe naloxone and buprenorphine, both of which can prevent future overdose-related mortality. We assessed the rate of this prescribing using national data from August 2019 to April 2021, a period during which US opioid overdose deaths reached record levels. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using Symphony Health's Integrated Dataverse, which includes data from 5,800 hospitals and 70,000 pharmacies. Of ED visits for opioid overdose between August 4, 2019, and April 3, 2021, we calculated the proportion with at least 1 naloxone prescription within 30 days and repeated this analysis for buprenorphine. To contextualize the naloxone prescribing rate, we calculated the proportion of ED visits for anaphylaxis with at least 1 prescription for epinephrine-another life-saving rescue medication-within 30 days. RESULTS Analyses included 148,966 ED visits for opioid overdose. Mean weekly visits increased 23.6% during the period between April 26, 2020 and October 3, 2020 compared with the period between August 4, 2019 to April 25, 2020. Visits declined to prepandemic levels between October 4, 2020 and March 13, 2021, after which visits began to rise. Naloxone and buprenorphine were prescribed within 30 days at 7.4% and 8.5% of the 148,966 visits, respectively. The naloxone prescribing rate (7.4%) was substantially lower than the epinephrine prescribing rate (48.9%) after ED visits for anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION Between August 4, 2019, and April 3, 2021, naloxone and buprenorphine were only prescribed after 1 in 13 and 1 in 12 ED visits for opioid overdose, respectively. Findings suggest that clinicians are missing critical opportunities to prevent opioid overdose-related mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kao-Ping Chua
- Department of Pediatrics, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI.
| | - Chin Hwa Y. Dahlem
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chad M. Brummett
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI,Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Rena M. Conti
- Department of Markets, Public Policy, And Law, Institute for Health System Innovation and Policy, Questrom School of Business, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Amy S. Bohnert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI,VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Aaron D. Dora-Laskey
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI
| | - Keith E. Kocher
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, MI,Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI,Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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15
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Hutchinson CL, Curtis K, McCloughen A, Fethney J, Wiseman G, Hutchinson L. Clinician perspectives on reasons for, implications and management of unplanned patient returns to the Emergency Department: A descriptive study. Int Emerg Nurs 2021; 60:101125. [PMID: 34953437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unplanned return visits to the emergency department (ED) have been associated with adverse outcomes and may reflect the quality of care delivered. Several studies speculate the reasons for return and suggest clinician behaviour as potentially influencing a patient's decision to return to the ED. There is little research about this issue from the clinician's perspective, which is necessary to inform future practice improvement. METHODS A descriptive cross sectional design was employed to ascertain perspectives on identification and management of return visits occurring within 48 hours of discharge. An electronic survey was distributed to all medical, nursing, and clerical staff at one ED. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data and content analysis was performed on textual data. Results were categorised as barriers or facilitators, then mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS A response rate of 59.7% (n=86/144) was achieved. Staff reported increased levels of concern for this patient group but not all staff were aware of the policy for managing return patients (40.7%). Five barriers and three facilitators were identified that mapped to eight influencers of behaviour including knowledge, memory and environmental factors. CONCLUSION Overall, staff were aware of return patients but lacked familiarity with policy and processes to identify and commence relevant protocols. Further review of current practice as well as the patient perspective is required before any intervention to improve practice is developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L Hutchinson
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Emergency Department, Canterbury Hospital, Campsie, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Kate Curtis
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia; Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrea McCloughen
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Judith Fethney
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Glen Wiseman
- Emergency Department, Canterbury Hospital, Campsie, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laura Hutchinson
- Emergency Department, Canterbury Hospital, Campsie, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Dunphy C, Zhang K, Guy GP, Jones CM. Naloxone dispensing among the commercially insured population in the United States from 2015 to 2018. Prev Med 2021; 153:106820. [PMID: 34599923 PMCID: PMC9086913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends that providers consider co-prescribing naloxone when factors that increase the risk of overdose are present. Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. This paper explores trends in naloxone dispensing and out-of-pocket costs among commercially insured individuals in the United States. Administrative claims data from the IBM Watson Health MarketScan database are analyzed to assess trends in naloxone dispensing from 2015 to 2018. Descriptive statistics on concurrent dispensing of naloxone with opioid analgesics are performed among several at-risk populations. The rate of commercially insured individuals being co-dispensed naloxone increased between 2015 and 2018 across all population sub-groups. In 2018, 16.2 individuals were co-dispensed naloxone for every 1000 receiving an opioid dosage ≥ 90 MME/day compared to 0.9 in 2015, 27.6 individuals were co-dispensed naloxone for every 1000 concurrently dispensed benzodiazepines and an opioid dosage ≥ 90 MME/day compared to 7.6 in 2015, and 43.7 individuals were co-dispensed naloxone for every 1000 receiving an opioid dosage ≥90 MME/day with a past overdose compared to 17.6 in 2015. Median out-of-pocket cost for naloxone increased from $12 in 2015 to $25 in 2018. Despite increases in naloxone dispensing from 2015 to 2018, the provision of naloxone to the commercially insured population remains low. Opportunities remain to increase the supply of naloxone to at-risk populations. Considering ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs associated with naloxone may be a potential strategy to increase access to this life-saving drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dunphy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Overdose Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - Kun Zhang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Overdose Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Gery P Guy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Overdose Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Christopher M Jones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Overdose Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
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Kelsch JR, Bailey AM, Baum RA, Metts EL, Weant KA. Guidance for emergency medicine pharmacists to improve care for people with opioid use disorder. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R. Kelsch
- Department of Pharmacy University of Kentucky HealthCare Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Abby M. Bailey
- Department of Pharmacy University of Kentucky HealthCare Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Regan A. Baum
- Department of Pharmacy University of Kentucky HealthCare Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Elise L. Metts
- Department of Pharmacy University of Kentucky HealthCare Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Kyle A. Weant
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcome Sciences University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Columbia South Carolina USA
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18
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Stein BD, Smart R, Jones CM, Sheng F, Powell D, Sorbero M. Individual and Community Factors Associated with Naloxone Co-prescribing Among Long-term Opioid Patients: a Retrospective Analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:2952-2957. [PMID: 33598891 PMCID: PMC8481397 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06577-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Naloxone co-prescribing to individuals at increased opioid overdose risk is a key component of opioid overdose prevention efforts. OBJECTIVE Examine naloxone co-prescribing in the general population and assess how co-prescribing varies by individual and community characteristics. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression of 2017-2018 de-identified pharmacy claims representing 90% of all prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies in 50 states and the District of Columbia. PATIENTS Individuals with opioid analgesic treatment episodes > 90 days MAIN MEASURES: Outcome was co-prescribed naloxone. Predictor variables included insurance type, primary prescriber specialty, receipt of concomitant benzodiazepines, high-dose opioid episode, county urbanicity, fatal overdose rates, poverty rates, and primary care health professional shortage areas. KEY RESULTS Naloxone co-prescribing occurred in 2.3% of long-term opioid therapy episodes. Medicaid (aOR 1.87, 95%CI 1.84 to 1.90) and Medicare (aOR 1.48, 95%CI 1.46 to 1.51) episodes had higher odds of naloxone co-prescribing than commercial insurance episodes, while cash pay (aOR 0.77, 95%CI 0.74 to 0.80) and other insurance episodes (aOR 0.81, 95%CI 0.79 to 0.83) had lower odds. Odds of naloxone co-prescribing were higher among high-dose opioid episodes (aOR 3.19, 95%CI 3.15 to 3.23), when concomitant benzodiazepines were prescribed (aOR 1.12, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.14), and in counties with higher fatal overdose rates. CONCLUSION Co-prescription of naloxone represents a tangible clinical action that can be taken to help prevent opioid overdose deaths. However, despite recommendations to co-prescribe naloxone to patients at increased risk for opioid overdose, we found that co-prescribing rates remain low overall. States, insurers, and health systems should consider implementing strategies to facilitate increased co-prescribing of naloxone to at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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19
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Jones AA, Park JN, Allen ST, Schneider KE, Weir BW, Hunt D, Sherman SG. Racial differences in overdose training, naloxone possession, and naloxone administration among clients and nonclients of a syringe services program. J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 129:108412. [PMID: 34080560 PMCID: PMC8565096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate racial (Black/White) differences in overdose response training and take-home naloxone (THN) possession and administration among clients and nonclients of the Baltimore syringe service program (SSP). METHODS The study derived data from a cross-sectional survey of 263 (183 SSP clients, 80 nonclients) people who inject drugs (PWID). The study recruited SSP clients using targeted sampling and recruited nonclients through peer referral from April to November 2016. RESULTS In our sample, 61% of the participants were Black, 42% were between the ages of 18 and 44, and 70% were males. SSP clients, regardless of race, were more likely to have received overdose response training than Black nonclients (Black clients AOR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.88, 7.92; White clients AOR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.75). The study found no significant differences in overdose response training between Black and White nonclients. SSP clients and White nonclients were more likely to possess THN than Black nonclients (Black clients: AOR: 4.21, 95% CI: 2.00, 8.87; White clients: AOR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.56, 8.04; White nonclients AOR: 4.49, 95% CI: 1.50,13.47). CONCLUSION SSP clients were more likely to receive overdose response training than their nonclient peers who they referred to the study, illustrating the utility of SSPs in reaching PWID at high risk of overdose. We also observed that Black PWID, who did not access services at the SSP, were the least likely to possess THN, suggesting the need to employ outreach targeting Black PWID who do not access this central harm reduction intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Jones
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 105 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - J N Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - S T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - K E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - B W Weir
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - D Hunt
- Baltimore City Health Department, 100 N. Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - S G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Lee JB, Ghanem G, Saadat S, Yanuck J, Yeung B, Chakravarthy B, Nelson A, Shah S. Positive Toxicology Results Are Not Associated with Emergency Physicians' Opioid Prescribing Behavior. West J Emerg Med 2021; 22:1067-1075. [PMID: 34546882 PMCID: PMC8463062 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2021.5.52378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Given the general lack of literature on opioid and naloxone prescribing guidelines for patients with substance use disorder, we aimed to explore how a physician’s behavior and prescribing habits are altered by knowledge of the patient’s concomitant use of psychotropic compounds as evident on urine and serum toxicology screens. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review study at a tertiary, academic, Level I trauma center between November 2017–October 2018 that included 358 patients who were discharged from the emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis of fracture, dislocation, or amputation and received an opioid prescription upon discharge. We extracted urine and serum toxicology results, number and amount of prescription opioids upon discharge, and the presence of a naloxone script. Results The study population was divided into five subgroups that included the following: negative urine and serum toxicology screen; depressants; stimulants; mixed; and no toxicology screens. When comparing the 103 patients in which toxicology screens were obtained to the 255 patients without toxicology screens, we found no statistically significant differences in the total prescribed morphine milligram equivalent (75.0 and 75.0, respectively) or in the number of pills prescribed (15.0 and 13.5, respectively). Notably, none of the 103 patients who had toxicology screens were prescribed naloxone upon discharge. Conclusion Our study found no association between positive urine toxicology results for psychotropically active substances and the rates of opioid prescribing within a single-center, academic ED. Notably, none of the 103 patients who had toxicology screens were prescribed naloxone upon discharge. More research on the associations between illicit drug use, opioids, and naloxone prescriptions is necessary to help establish guidelines for high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B Lee
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Ghadi Ghanem
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Soheil Saadat
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Justin Yanuck
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Brent Yeung
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, Orange, California
| | - Bharath Chakravarthy
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California
| | - Ariana Nelson
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, Orange, California
| | - Shalini Shah
- University of California, Irvine, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, Orange, California
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Weiner SG, Hoppe JA. Prescribing Naloxone to High-Risk Patients in the Emergency Department: Is it Enough? Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2021; 47:340-342. [PMID: 33958290 PMCID: PMC8165019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Stein BD, Jones CM, Smart R, Sheng F, Sorbero M. Patient, prescriber, and Community factors associated with filled naloxone prescriptions among patients receiving buprenorphine 2017-18. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 221:108569. [PMID: 33578296 PMCID: PMC8027950 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prescribing naloxone to patients at increased opioid overdose risk is a key component of opioid overdose prevention efforts, but little is known about naloxone fills among patients receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, one such high risk group. METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study used de-identified pharmacy claims representing 90% of all prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies in 50 states and the District of Columbia. We performed a multivariable logistic regression to examine filled naloxone prescriptions among patients receiving buprenorphine treatment and assessed how filled naloxone prescriptions vary by patient, prescriber, and community characteristics. RESULTS Filled naloxone prescriptions occurred among 4.5% of buprenorphine treatment episodes. Episodes paid through Medicaid (aOR 2.40, 95%CI 2.33-2.47) and Medicare (aOR 1.53, 95%CI 1.46-1.60) had higher odds of filled naloxone prescriptions than commercial insurance episodes. Compared to episodes where the primary prescriber was an adult primary care physician, odds of filling a naloxone prescription were higher among episodes prescribed by addiction specialists (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.24-1.37) and physician assistants/nurse practitioners (aOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.53-1.61). CONCLUSIONS Prescribing naloxone to patients receiving buprenorphine represents a tangible clinical action that can be taken to help prevent opioid overdose deaths. However, despite recommendations to co-prescribe naloxone to patients at increased risk for opioid overdose, rates of filling naloxone prescriptions remain low among patients dispensed buprenorphine. States, insurers, and health systems should consider implementing strategies to facilitate increased co-prescribing of naloxone to at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Christopher M Jones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rosanna Smart
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Flora Sheng
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Funke M, Kaplan MC, Glover H, Schramm-Sapyta N, Muzyk A, Mando-Vandrick J, Gordee A, Kuchibhatla M, Sterrett E, Eucker SA. Increasing Naloxone Prescribing in the Emergency Department Through Education and Electronic Medical Record Work-Aids. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2021; 47:364-375. [PMID: 33811002 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency department (ED) visits for opioid overdose continue to rise. Evidence-based harm reduction strategies for opioid use disorder (OUD), such as providing home naloxone, can save lives, but ED implementation remains challenging. METHODS The researchers aimed to increase prescribing of naloxone to ED patients with OUD and opioid overdose by employing a model for improvement methodology, a multidisciplinary team, and high-reliability interventions. Monthly naloxone prescribing rates among discharged ED patients with opioid overdose and OUD-related diagnoses were tracked over time. Interventions included focused ED staff education on OUD and naloxone, and creation of electronic medical record (EMR)-based work-aids, including a naloxone Best Practice Advisory (BPA) and order set. Autoregressive interrupted time series was used to model the impact of these interventions on naloxone prescribing rates. The impact of education on ED staff confidence and perceived barriers to prescribing naloxone was measured using a published survey instrument. RESULTS After adjusting for education events and temporal trends, ED naloxone BPA and order set implementation was associated with a significant immediate 21.1% increase in naloxone prescribing rates, which was sustained for one year. This corresponded to increased average monthly prescribing rates from 1.5% before any intervention to 28.7% afterward. ED staff education had no measurable impact on prescribing rates but was associated with increased nursing perceived importance and increased provider confidence in prescribing naloxone. CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in naloxone prescribing rates was achieved after implementation of high-reliability EMR work-aids and staff education. Similar interventions may be key to wider ED staff engagement in harm reduction for patients with OUD.
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Siff JE, Margolius D, Papp J, Boulanger B, Watts B. A Healthcare System-Level Intervention to Increase Naloxone Availability for Patients With Opioid Prescriptions. Am J Addict 2020; 30:179-182. [PMID: 33378097 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES National guidelines recommend prescribing naloxone to patients receiving chronic opioids. However, provider adherence to naloxone co-prescribing best practices is poor and knowledge gaps for improvement efforts are large. As part of a system-wide quality improvement intervention to improve opioid safety, we sought to improve access to naloxone for patients with opioid prescriptions. METHODS A prompt for naloxone co-prescribing was implemented in the electronic health record. Baseline data and data after implementation were collected for naloxone co-prescribing and fill rates on naloxone prescriptions s (n = 9122 pre, 8368 post). RESULTS In the 9 months following the implementation of the electronic prompt, the total number of naloxone prescriptions increased more than 15-fold. Patients prescribed naloxone filled their naloxone prescriptions similarly (42%) before and after the prompt implementation, resulting in a marked increase in the absolute number of patients with access to naloxone. Patient fill rates varied by clinical area (33% emergency medicine to 47% general medicine). CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE An electronic prompt, encouraging providers to prescribe naloxone to at-risk patients led to a marked increase in the percentage of patients with an active naloxone prescription. The availability of naloxone in communities saves lives and this study is the first to demonstrate an intervention, which led to increased naloxone prescribing and reported on actual pharmacy fills of naloxone when co-prescribed with opioids. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Siff
- The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio.,Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - David Margolius
- The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio.,Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Joan Papp
- The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio.,Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Bernard Boulanger
- The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio.,Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Brook Watts
- The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, Ohio.,Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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25
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Naloxone provision to emergency department patients recognized as high-risk for opioid use disorder. Am J Emerg Med 2020; 40:173-176. [PMID: 33243535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.10.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) are at increased risk for overdose and death. Clinical practice guidelines and professional organization policy statements recommend providing naloxone to patients at risk for overdose. We sought to characterize fidelity to naloxone practice recommendations in a cohort of Emergency Department (ED) patients in whom opioid use disorder was suspected by the treating physician. METHODS This single-center cross-sectional study evaluated electronic health records from an urban academic ED with 73,000 annual encounters in a region with a high prevalence of OUD. Patients ≥18 years old with encounters from January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2019 were included if discharged from the ED and either administered buprenorphine in the ED or referred to outpatient substance use treatment. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of included patients provided naloxone (take-home or prescription). We used random effects multivariable logistic regression (accounting for multiple patient encounters) to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for receiving naloxone. RESULTS Of 1036 eligible patient encounters, 320 resulted in naloxone provision (30.9%, 95% CI: 28.1-33.8). Naloxone provision occurred for 33.6% (95% CI 30.5-36.7) of 900 patients referred to outpatient substance use treatment without ED buprenorphine administration, 10.6% (95% CI 5.0-19.2) of 85 patients administered buprenorphine and not referred to outpatient substance use treatment, and 17.6% (95% CI 8.4-30.9) of 51 patients administered buprenorphine and referred to outpatient treatment. After controlling for age, sex, race, and prior provision of naloxone, the administration of buprenorphine was associated with a 94% lower odds (aOR = 0.06 [95% CI 0.011-0.33]) for naloxone provision compared to those only referred to outpatient treatment. CONCLUSION A majority of ED patients who received an intervention targeted at OUD, in an ED where take-home naloxone is freely available, did not receive either take-home naloxone or a prescription for naloxone at discharge. Patients receiving buprenorphine were less likely to receive naloxone than patients only referred to outpatient treatment. These data suggest barriers other than recognition of potential OUD and naloxone availability impact provision of naloxone and argue for a treatment "bundle" as a conceptual model for care of ED patients with suspected OUD.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, approximately 11.4 million Americans used opioids inappropriately. Nearly 47,600 deaths in 2017 were attributable to overdose on opioids. Intranasal naloxone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015 as a rescue medication for opioid overdose. New York State launched a prescription drug monitoring program in 2012, the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP), that required completion before dispensing any controlled substance. Currently, prescribing naloxone at our institution requires 10 clicks and 2 free text boxes. The goal of this project was to increase the prescribing of intranasal naloxone by utilizing EMR automation and visualization tools. METHODS Our intervention embedded a section within the required I-STOP note, displaying the last date naloxone was prescribed and an option to "prescribe intranasal naloxone." If checked, a prepopulated order dialog box was generated. RESULTS Intranasal naloxone orders for the institution totaled 65 for 2 months before the intervention and 203 for 2 months after the intervention, with 112 (55%) coming directly from the I-STOP note modification. Ease of prescribing improved as total clicks were reduced from 10 to 2, and free text boxes from 2 to 0. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a clinical decision support system can be an effective way to increase hospital-wide naloxone prescribing rates. We were able to increase prescribing rates by more than three-fold, significantly increasing the availability of a rescue medication to individuals at high-risk for overdose. Intranasal naloxone prescribing increased with the implementation of a visual reminder and a more intuitive ordering experience while preserving provider autonomy.
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Krawczyk N, Eisenberg M, Schneider KE, Richards TM, Lyons BC, Jackson K, Ferris L, Weiner JP, Saloner B. Predictors of Overdose Death Among High-Risk Emergency Department Patients With Substance-Related Encounters: A Data Linkage Cohort Study. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 75:1-12. [PMID: 31515181 PMCID: PMC6928412 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Persons with substance use disorders frequently utilize emergency department (ED) services, creating an opportunity for intervention and referral to addiction treatment and harm-reduction services. However, EDs may not have the appropriate tools to distinguish which patients are at greatest risk for negative outcomes. We link hospital ED and medical examiner mortality databases in one state to identify individual-level risk factors associated with overdose death among ED patients with substance-related encounters. METHODS This retrospective cohort study linked Maryland statewide ED hospital claims records for adults with nonfatal overdose or substance use disorder encounters in 2014 to 2015 with medical examiner mortality records in 2015 to 2016. Logistic regression was used to identify factors in hospital records associated with risk of opioid overdose death. Predicted probabilities for overdose death were calculated for hypothetical patients with different combinations of overdose and substance use diagnostic histories. RESULTS A total of 139,252 patients had substance-related ED encounters in 2014 to 2015. Of these patients, 963 later experienced an opioid overdose death, indicating a case fatality rate of 69.2 per 10,000 patients, 6 times higher than that of patients who used the ED for any cause. Factors most strongly associated with death included having both an opioid and another substance use disorder (adjusted odds ratio 2.88; 95% confidence interval 2.04 to 4.07), having greater than or equal to 3 previous nonfatal overdoses (adjusted odds ratio 2.89; 95% confidence interval 1.54 to 5.43), and having a previous nonfatal overdose involving heroin (adjusted odds ratio 2.24; 95% confidence interval 1.64 to 3.05). CONCLUSION These results highlight important differences in overdose risk among patients receiving care in EDs for substance-related conditions. The findings demonstrate the potential utility of incorporating routine data from patient records to assess risk of future negative outcomes and identify primary targets for initiation and linkage to lifesaving care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Krawczyk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
| | - Matthew Eisenberg
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Tom M Richards
- Johns Hopkins Center for Population and Health and Information Technology, Baltimore, MD
| | - B Casey Lyons
- Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Department of Health, Columbia, MD
| | - Kate Jackson
- Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Department of Health, Columbia, MD
| | - Lindsey Ferris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients, Columbia, MD
| | - Jonathan P Weiner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins Center for Population and Health and Information Technology, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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O'Brien DC, Dabbs D, Dong K, Veugelers PJ, Hyshka E. Patient characteristics associated with being offered take home naloxone in a busy, urban emergency department: a retrospective chart review. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:632. [PMID: 31488142 PMCID: PMC6727417 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4469-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose deaths can be prevented by distributing take home naloxone (THN) kits. The emergency department (ED) is an opportune setting for overdose prevention, as people who use opioids frequently present for emergency care, and those who have overdosed are at high risk for future overdose death. We evaluated the implementation of an ED-based THN program by measuring the extent to which THN was offered to patients presenting with opioid overdose. We analyzed whether some patients were less likely to be offered THN than others, to identify areas for program improvement. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical records from all ED visits between April 2016 and May 2017 with a primary diagnosis of opioid overdose at a large, urban tertiary hospital located in Alberta, Canada. A wide array of patient data was collected, including demographics, opioid intoxicants, prescription history, overdose severity, and whether a naloxone kit was offered and accepted. Multivariable analyses were used to identify patient characteristics and situational variables associated with being offered THN. RESULTS Among the 342 ED visits for opioid overdose, THN was offered in 49% (n = 168) of cases. Patients were more likely to be offered THN if they had been found unconscious (Adjusted Odds Ratio 3.70; 95% Confidence Interval [1.63, 8.37]), or if they had smoked or injected an illegal opioid (AOR 6.05 [2.15,17.0] and AOR 3.78 [1.32,10.9], respectively). In contrast, patients were less likely to be offered THN if they had a current prescription for opioids (AOR 0.41 [0.19, 0.88]), if they were admitted to the hospital (AOR 0.46 [0.22,0.97], or if they unexpectedly left the ED without treatment or before completing treatment (AOR 0.16 [0.22, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS In this real-world evaluation of an ED-based THN program, we observed that only half of patients with opioid overdose were offered THN. ED staff readily identify patients who use illegal opioids or experience a severe overdose as potentially benefitting from THN, but may miss others at high risk for future overdose. We recommend that hospital EDs provide additional guidance to staff to ensure that all eligible patients at risk of overdose have access to THN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C O'Brien
- University of Alberta, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Daniel Dabbs
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 2J2.00 WC Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, 8440 112 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - Kathryn Dong
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 790 University Terrace Building, 8303 112 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Paul J Veugelers
- University of Alberta, School of Public Health, 33-50 University Terrace, 8303 - 112 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Elaine Hyshka
- University of Alberta, School of Public Health, 3-300 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada.
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Guy GP, Haegerich TM, Evans ME, Losby JL, Young R, Jones CM. Vital Signs: Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Dispensing - United States, 2012-2018. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2019; 68:679-686. [PMID: 31393863 PMCID: PMC6687198 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6831e1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommends considering prescribing naloxone when factors that increase risk for overdose are present (e.g., history of overdose or substance use disorder, opioid dosages ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents per day [high-dose], and concurrent use of benzodiazepines). In light of the high numbers of drug overdose deaths involving opioids, 36% of which in 2017 involved prescription opioids, improving access to naloxone is a public health priority. CDC examined trends and characteristics of naloxone dispensing from retail pharmacies at the national and county levels in the United States. Methods CDC analyzed 2012–2018 retail pharmacy data from IQVIA, a health care, data science, and technology company, to assess U.S. naloxone dispensing by U.S. Census region, urban/rural status, prescriber specialty, and recipient characteristics, including age group, sex, out-of-pocket costs, and method of payment. Factors associated with naloxone dispensing at the county level also were examined. Results The number of naloxone prescriptions dispensed from retail pharmacies increased substantially from 2012 to 2018, including a 106% increase from 2017 to 2018 alone. Nationally, in 2018, one naloxone prescription was dispensed for every 69 high-dose opioid prescriptions. Substantial regional variation in naloxone dispensing was found, including a twenty-fivefold variation across counties, with lowest rates in the most rural counties. A wide variation was also noted by prescriber specialty. Compared with naloxone prescriptions paid for with Medicaid and commercial insurance, a larger percentage of prescriptions paid for with Medicare required out-of-pocket costs. Conclusion Despite substantial increases in naloxone dispensing, the rate of naloxone prescriptions dispensed per high-dose opioid prescription remains low, and overall naloxone dispensing varies substantially across the country. Naloxone distribution is an important component of the public health response to the opioid overdose epidemic. Health care providers can prescribe or dispense naloxone when overdose risk factors are present and counsel patients on how to use it. Efforts to improve naloxone access and distribution work most effectively with efforts to improve opioid prescribing, implement other harm-reduction strategies, promote linkage to medications for opioid use disorder treatment, and enhance public health and public safety partnerships.
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