Ruixin Shi1, Amie Quinones2, Jeremy Bair3, Ramona O Hopkins4, Allison M Butler5, Shannon Inglet6, Carolyn Anctil7, Jake Woods8, Jamison Jones8, Joseph R Bledsoe7. 1. Department of Pharmacy, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA. Electronic address: ruixin.shi@gmail.com. 2. Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Layton Hospital, Layton, UT 84041, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA. 4. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; Center for Humanizing Critical Care, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA; Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA. 5. Statistical Data Center, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA. 6. Department of Pharmacy, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 84107, USA; Intermountain Drug Information Services, Intermountain Healthcare, Taylorsville, UT 84129, USA. 7. Utah Emergency Physicians, Murray, UT 84107, USA. 8. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) visits associated with prescription opioids have increased in the last ten years. This study describes the opioid utilization of patients discharged from the ED with an opioid prescription for pain, 14 to 21 days post discharge. METHODS: This is a prospective, single-centered, survey-based observational descriptive study conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 in the ED at a tertiary level 1 trauma center. The primary outcomes were the percentage of patients with unused opioids and the quantity of opioids remaining 14 to 21 days post ED discharge. A sample of ED patients who received an oral opioid prescription were approached for informed consent and received a telephone survey 14 to 21 days post discharge. RESULTS: Of 178 patients approached for consent, 122 were enrolled. Among them, 98 were successfully surveyed (80.3%). The median number of pills prescribed was 8 (IQR:8-12). Nearly half (49%) of patients had unused opioids 14 to 21 days post ED discharge, not including 9.2% of patients who never filled their prescriptions. Of the total 980 pills prescribed, 327 pills remained unused (33.4%). Only 55.1% of patients reported receiving counseling on side effect of opioids and 21.4% of patients reported they received counseling on storage and disposal. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients in this study had unused or unfilled opioids 14 to 21 days post ED discharge, and approximately one third of the opioids prescribed remained unused. Most patients did not recall receiving opioid related education including proper disposal of medication.
BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) visits associated with prescription opioids have increased in the last ten years. This study describes the opioid utilization of patients discharged from the ED with an opioid prescription for pain, 14 to 21 days post discharge. METHODS: This is a prospective, single-centered, survey-based observational descriptive study conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 in the ED at a tertiary level 1 trauma center. The primary outcomes were the percentage of patients with unused opioids and the quantity of opioids remaining 14 to 21 days post ED discharge. A sample of ED patients who received an oral opioid prescription were approached for informed consent and received a telephone survey 14 to 21 days post discharge. RESULTS: Of 178 patients approached for consent, 122 were enrolled. Among them, 98 were successfully surveyed (80.3%). The median number of pills prescribed was 8 (IQR:8-12). Nearly half (49%) of patients had unused opioids 14 to 21 days post ED discharge, not including 9.2% of patients who never filled their prescriptions. Of the total 980 pills prescribed, 327 pills remained unused (33.4%). Only 55.1% of patients reported receiving counseling on side effect of opioids and 21.4% of patients reported they received counseling on storage and disposal. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients in this study had unused or unfilled opioids 14 to 21 days post ED discharge, and approximately one third of the opioids prescribed remained unused. Most patients did not recall receiving opioid related education including proper disposal of medication.
Authors: Jessica C Young; Nabarun Dasgupta; Til Stürmer; Virginia Pate; Michele Jonsson Funk Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2022-05-23 Impact factor: 2.732
Authors: Michele P Dyson; Kathryn Dong; William Sevcik; Samir Z Graham; Sabrina Saba; Lisa Hartling; Samina Ali Journal: J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open Date: 2022-09-30