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Rock P, Slavova S, Westgate PM, Nakamura A, Walsh SL. Examination of naloxone dosing patterns for opioid overdose by emergency medical services in Kentucky during increased fentanyl use from 2018 to 2021. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 255:111062. [PMID: 38157702 PMCID: PMC11057324 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatal overdoses involving fentanyl/fentanyl analogs (F/FA) have increased in the US, raising questions about naloxone doses for F/FA overdose reversal. Emergency medical services (EMS) data provide an opportunity to examine naloxone administration changes as fentanyl increases in the illicit opioid supply. METHODS Administered naloxone intranasal-equivalent total dose (INTD) in milligrams (mg) was calculated for Kentucky EMS suspected opioid overdose (SOO) encounters (n=33,846), 2018-2021, and patterns of administration were examined. County-level F/FA availability was measured as 1) proportion of fatal drug overdoses involving F/FA, and 2) F/FA police seizures. Linear mixed models estimated changes in INTD in relation to local F/FA availability accounting for patient characteristics. RESULTS From 2018-2021, SOOs increased by 44% (6853 to 9888) with an average INTD increase from 4.5mg to 4.7mg, with more than 99% of encounters resulting in successful reversal each year. For SOO encounters examined by outcome at the scene (i.e., non-fatal fatal vs fatal), average INTD for non-fatal were 4.6mg compared to 5.9mg for fatal overdoses. Mixed modeling found no significant relationship between INTD and the two measures for local F/FA availability. CONCLUSION As F/FA-involved overdose risk increased, we observed a modest increase in INTD administered in SOO EMS encounters - just slightly higher than the 4mg standard dose. The lack of significant relationship between F/FA and naloxone dose suggests that naloxone utilization in SOO with EMS involvement remains effective for overdose reversal, and that EMS naloxone dosing patterns have not changed substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rock
- Substance Use Priority Research Area, Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,.
| | - Svetla Slavova
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,; Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,.
| | - Philip M Westgate
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,.
| | - Aisaku Nakamura
- Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,.
| | - Sharon L Walsh
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,.
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Shrestha S, Lindstrom MR, Harris D, Rock P, Srinivasan S, Pustz JC, Bayly R, Stopka TJ. Spatial access to buprenorphine-waivered prescribers in the HEALing communities study: Enhanced 2-step floating catchment area analyses in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2023; 150:209077. [PMID: 37211155 PMCID: PMC10330859 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opioid overdose epidemic continues to impact a large swath of the population in the US. Medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) are an effective resource to combat the epidemic; however, there is limited research on MOUD treatment access that accounts for both supply of and demand for services. We aimed to examine access to buprenorphine prescribers in the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) Wave 2 communities in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky during 2021, and the association between buprenorphine access and opioid-related incidents, specifically fatal overdoses and opioid-related responses by emergency medical services (EMS). METHODS We calculated Enhanced 2-Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) accessibility indices for each state, as well as Wave 2 communities in each state, based on the location of providers (buprenorphine-waivered clinicians from the US Drug Enforcement Agency Active Registrants database), population-weighted centroids at the census block group level, and catchment areas defined by the state or community's average commute time. In advance of intervention initiation, we quantified the opioid-related risk environment of communities. We assessed gaps in services by using bivariate Local Moran's I analysis, incorporating accessibility indices and opioid-related incident data. RESULTS Massachusetts Wave 2 HCS communities had the highest rates of buprenorphine prescribers per 1000 patients (median: 165.8) compared to Kentucky (38.8) and Ohio (40.1). While urban centers in all three states had higher E2SFCA index scores compared to rural communities, we observed that suburban communities often had limited access. Through bivariate Local Moran's I analysis, we identified numerous locations with low buprenorphine access surrounded by high opioid-related incidents, particularly in communities that surrounded Boston, Massachusetts; Columbus, Ohio; and Louisville, Kentucky. CONCLUSION Rural communities demonstrated a great need for additional access to buprenorphine prescribers. However, policymakers should also direct attention toward suburban communities that have experienced significant increases in opioid-related incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Shrestha
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, United States of America
| | - Megan R Lindstrom
- Department of Geography, Ohio State University, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, United States of America
| | - Daniel Harris
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, Lee T. Todd Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, United States of America; Institute of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, Lee T. Todd Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, United States of America
| | - Peter Rock
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, United States of America
| | - Sumeeta Srinivasan
- Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 97 Talbot Ave., Medford, MA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer C Pustz
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, United States of America
| | - Ric Bayly
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, United States of America
| | - Thomas J Stopka
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111, United States of America; Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, 35 Kneeland St., Boston, MA 02111, United States of America; Department of Community Health, Tufts University, 574 Boston Ave, Medford, MA, United States of America; Department Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University, 97 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA, United States of America.
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Claborn K, Cance JD, Kane H, Hairgrove S, Conway FN. "If It Didn't Get Reported, It Didn't Happen": Current Nonfatal Overdose Reporting Practices among Nontraditional Reporters in Texas. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:828-831. [PMID: 36943062 PMCID: PMC10165888 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2188433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Drug overdose deaths in Texas have been accelerating in recent years with an increase of 33% in the 12 months leading up to December 2020. Accurate counts of nonfatal overdoses - including associated aspects of overdose, such as substances involved, demographic information, and reversal agents administered is critical to increase timely and adequate response to individuals and communities in need. Methods: Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with harm reduction workers across four Texas counties to understand existing methods of reporting overdoses, naloxone dissemination/administration, and recommendations for improving overdose surveillance. Interviews were transcribed and emergent themes were identified based on the a priori research goals. Results: Findings highlighted a variety of overdose data collection methods and tools among harm reduction organizations including Excel spreadsheet, web-based TONI application, notes on personal cell phones, and paper notes. Types of overdose data collected varied widely. Participants noted existing methods are suboptimal and that there is a need for a unified, statewide reporting system to improve overdose data capture. Participants also highlighted that overdose surveillance should include "hidden populations" of people who use drugs that are not currently counted in surveillance methods as a result of not interacting with the healthcare system. Conclusions: Texas lacks a unified overdose reporting system to capture critical data to inform overdose response and prevention efforts. Nontraditional reporters may be critical toward improving overdose syndromic efforts and capturing data among hard-to-reach populations. Harm reduction organizations are uniquely positioned to facilitate reporting among community gatekeepers and people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey Claborn
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto BLVD, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1600 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
- Addictions Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 3001 Lake Austin BLVD, Austin, TX 78703, USA
| | - Jessica Duncan Cance
- Community Health Research Division, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Heather Kane
- Community Health Research Division, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Sara Hairgrove
- Community Health Research Division, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Fiona N. Conway
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto BLVD, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Addictions Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 3001 Lake Austin BLVD, Austin, TX 78703, USA
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Riggs KR, DeRussy AJ, Leisch L, Shover CL, Bohnert ASB, Hoge AE, Montgomery AE, Varley AL, Jones AL, Gordon AJ, Kertesz SG. Sensitivity of health records for self-reported nonfatal drug and alcohol overdose. Am J Addict 2022; 31:517-522. [PMID: 36000282 PMCID: PMC9617764 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13327] [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: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Public health surveillance for overdose sometimes depends on nonfatal drug overdoses recorded in health records. However, the proportion of total overdoses identified through health record systems is unclear. Comparison of overdoses from health records to those that are self-reported may provide insight on the proportion of nonfatal overdoses that are not identified. METHODS We conducted a cohort study linking survey data on overdose from a national survey of Veterans to United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health records, including community care paid for by VA. Self-reported overdose in the prior 3 years was compared to diagnostic codes for overdoses and substance use disorders in the same time period. RESULTS The sensitivity of diagnostic codes for overdose, compared to self-report as a reference standard for this analysis, varied by substance: 28.1% for alcohol, 23.1% for sedatives, 12.0% for opioids, and 5.5% for cocaine. There was a notable concordance between substance use disorder diagnoses and self-reported overdose (sensitivity range 17.9%-90.6%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic codes in health records may not identify a substantial proportion of drug overdoses. A health record diagnosis of substance use disorder may offer a stronger inference regarding the size of the population at risk. Alternatively, screening for self-reported overdose in routine clinical care could enhance overdose surveillance and targeted intervention. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE This study suggests that diagnostic codes for overdose are insensitive. These findings support consideration of alternative approaches to overdose surveillance in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Riggs
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Leah Leisch
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Chelsea L Shover
- University of California David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amy S B Bohnert
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - April E Hoge
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ann E Montgomery
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Allyson L Varley
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Audrey L Jones
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stefan G Kertesz
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Casillas SM, Pickens CM, Stokes EK, Walters J, Vivolo-Kantor A. Patient-Level and County-Level Trends in Nonfatal Opioid-Involved Overdose Emergency Medical Services Encounters — 491 Counties, United States, January 2018–March 2022. MMWR. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2022; 71:1073-1080. [PMID: 36006833 PMCID: PMC9422964 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7134a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Kuzmichev A, Harada NM, Griffith DM, Powell KM, Dean HD. Public Health Reports in 2021: Impact Factor Increase and New Article Collections on Racism and COVID-19. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:397-407. [PMID: 35435072 PMCID: PMC9109544 DOI: 10.1177/00333549221091785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Kuzmichev
- Public Health Reports,
Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC, USA
| | - Noelle M. Harada
- Public Health Reports,
Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC, USA
| | - Derek M. Griffith
- Racial Justice Institute, Center for
Men’s Health Equity, Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown
University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Krista M. Powell
- CDR, US Public Health Service, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hazel D. Dean
- Public Health Reports,
Office of the Surgeon General, US Department of Health and Human Services,
Washington, DC, USA
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