Researchers from the University of Chicago, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and Vizient, a member-owned healthcare data solutions firm, found that over the seven year period between 2009 and 2016, there was also a 42 percent increase in hospital discharges related to opioid abuse.
“Pennsylvania and North Carolina have nearly doubled the number of ICU discharges for opioid overdose in the past seven years,” Jennifer Stevens, MD, of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at BIDMC and lead investigator on the study, said in a statement. “This suggests that there may be an opportunity for hospitals and communities in these states to get ahead of the critical care needs of this population and to help first-line responders prevent future admissions to the ICU.”
Although resources like use of the overdose-countering drug Naloxone and addiction treatment facilities have grown along with the opioid crisis, overdose patients present an enormous burden for ICUs and the clinicians who staff them. Another contributor to the research suggests hospitals that see an increase in admitted patients dependent on opioids can increase addiction management training for staff and have strategies in place to help transition those patients from critical care to outpatient addiction treatment.
The authors also conclude that greater national funding is essential to help combat the crisis and its impact on patients and their families.
More articles on opioids:
AMA’s Dr. Steven Stack writes open letter to physicians on opioids: ‘We must accept responsibility’
Serious infections related to opioid abuse contribute to rise in hospitalizations
Surgeon General calls for more robust physician training for opioid prescribing
