Impact of Implementing Screening and Interventions to Target Prevention of Opioid Misuse and Accidental Overdose in the Inpatient Setting

Abstract

Introduction: There are limited publications supporting the use of screening tools to implement upstream prevention of opioid-related problems. Opioid and Naloxone Education (ONE) is utilized in outpatient pharmacies to screen and identify patients at risk of opioid-related problems and make interventions. Objectives: To implement ONE in the inpatient setting to promote prevention of opioid-related problems and overdose risk mitigation. Methods: For this pilot, ONE screening tool was completed via chart review and patient interview for inpatients prescribed an opioid. Risk scores were calculated and recommendations were provided. Outcomes evaluated included morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prior to hospitalization, inpatient screening pre-, post-, and at discharge; naloxone orders at discharge; and comparison of overdose risk from different sources. Results: The control group (n = 44) had a mean MME decrease of 1.5, and following implementation of pharmacist interventions, the experimental group (n = 45) observed a mean MME decrease of 28.6 ( P = .0001). For the threshold of 50 MME, 8.6% of patients in the control group had a change from >50 MME to <50 MME at 24 hour follow up. This change occurred in 29% of patients in the experimental group ( P = .03). For non-opioid analgesics, 6.8% of patients in the control group had non-opioid analgesic orders added or increased compared to 26.6% in the experimental group ( P = .01). Conclusion: Screening for opioid misuse and accidental overdose risk appears impactful in the inpatient setting. Screening and appropriate risk-based intervention was associated with decreases in total daily MME and increased non-opioid analgesics.