A recent JAMA (Journal of American Medicine) article suggests that hospitals that treat patients for a non-fatal opioid overdose are not using this opportunity to determine if opioid over-prescribing is occurring or if the patient needs medication-assisted treatment.
Nonfatal overdoses that receive medical attention represent intervention opportunities for clinicians to mitigate risk by reducing opioid prescribing or advocating addiction treatment. Studies evaluating commercially insured patients suggest these potential interventions are underutilized and are considered a ‘missed opportunity’.
Access a recent NPR article that summarizes the findings:
The Great Plains QIN partners with providers, pharmacists and stakeholders in the region to reduce and monitor Adverse Drug Events (ADEs). A specific strategy to advance this work is to monitor Medicare consumer ADE rates on several prescription medications; one being opioids. Learn how you can partner with our team to reduce ADEs by visiting our website.