Patterns Of Prescription Opiate Use By Aged, Blind, Or Disabled Clients
In Washington State
Aged,
Blind, Disabled Clients And Prescription Opiates: Areas Of Concern
Summary
In a previous study we found that many aged, blind, or disabled clients who are
frequent visitors to the hospital emergency room (ER) receive large volumes of
prescription narcotic analgesics (opiates). This study sheds light on patterns
of prescription opiate use by these clients, including the conditions associated
with heavy opiate use, receiving opiate prescriptions from multiple providers,
and making frequent ER visits. We find:
A significant number of aged, blind, or disabled clients receive
large volumes of opiates from multiple prescribing providers. In Fiscal
Year 2002, at least 2,155 aged, blind, or disabled clients received a
total of 366 or more days of opiates prescribed by at least three
different providers.
It is a concern that many aged, blind, or disabled clients who
receive large volumes of opiates have a clear indication of drug
addiction in their medical record (diagnoses of drug abuse, dependence,
or drug-induced psychosis).
Clients with headaches, poisonings, tobacco abuse, sprains, strains,
and superficial injuries receive large volumes of opiates and are
frequent ER visitors. These conditions may signal increased risk of
opiate addiction.
By comparison, clients who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, arthritis, and
diseases of the spine also receive large volumes of opiates, but are
less frequent ER visitors. Although some of these clients have
indications of drug addiction, opiate use patterns among these clients
appear to be more appropriate.
The underlying cause of heavy opiate use and frequent ER visits in
many cases may be opiate addiction. In other cases, the cause may be
inadequate pain management or lack of access to primary medical care.
Clinical review is necessary to determine the cause of potentially
problematic prescription opiate use and frequent ER visits for specific
clients. What is clear is the potential for better care management for
many of these clients.
Download
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the report: "Patterns Of Prescription Opiate Use By Aged, Blind, Or
Disabled Clients In Washington State" Publication
Date: 4/2005. Report Number 8.27. (287 KB)
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Copyright 2004 Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Patterns Of Prescription Opiate Use By Aged, Blind, Or Disabled Clients
In Washington State