Between 2000 and 2014, opiate-related overdose deaths in the U.S. increased 200%
Opioid-related hospitalizations and ED visits spike in US. photo courtesy of healthcare dive
The rate of opioid-related hospitalizations and ED visits varied significantly by state, with the highest hospitalization rate occurring in Maryland and the highest rate of ED visits in Massachusetts.
According to an article in Healthcare Dive, Opioid-related hospitalizations and ED visits spike in US.
Between 2005 and 2014, the rate of opioid-related hospital stays increased 64.1% while opioid-related ED visits increased 99.4%.
But not all states were the same. Opioid-related hospitalizations and ED visits varied by state with the highest ED visits being in Massachusetts and the highest hospitalization being in Maryland.
An opioid epidemic was declared in the U.S. by the HHS (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) this past October due to a marked increase in the misuse of opioids over the past decade. The new statistical brief provides detailed, state-by-state data on overdose deaths, the rate of opioid-related hospitalizations and the rate of opioid-related ED visits. The brief did not differentiate between illegal opioid use, misuse of prescription opioids and compliant use of opioids.
HHS has urged providers to alter their prescribing practices, essentially making opioid medications a last resort. Meanwhile, hospitals and healthcare systems have started their own initiatives to address this national challenge, such as focusing on pain management alternatives or requiring across-the-board reductions in the number of opioid prescriptions.
Pharmacogenetics and Opioids:
Patients with CYP450 pharmacogenetic variations may respond differently to opioids, ranging from drug unresponsiveness to toxicity with elevated serum levels. The administration of opioids may be associated with adverse drug reactions including sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression. By performing pharmacogenetic testing, patients can be dosed appropriately to avoid experiencing dose-dependent side effect or lack of drug efficacy.
Results of pharmacogenetic tests allow patients to be dosed appropriately. Pharmacists can play a role in providing information to patients on selecting opioids where genetic testing may be useful. ~medscape.com
For more information on Pharmacogenetic Testing, contact: PGx Medical, info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112.
Read entire article at: healthcaredive.com