Opioid-Prescribing Continuity and Risky Opioid Prescriptions

Ann Fam Med. 2018 Sep;16(5):440-442. doi: 10.1370/afm.2285.

Abstract

We aimed to better understand the association between opioid-prescribing continuity, risky prescribing patterns, and overdose risk. For this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with long-term opioid use, pulling data from Oregon's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), vital records, and hospital discharge registry. A continuity of care index (COCI) score was calculated for each patient, and we defined metrics to describe risky prescribing and overdose. As prescribing continuity increased, likelihood of filling risky opioid prescriptions and overdose hospitalization decreased. Prescribing continuity is an important factor associated with opioid harms and can be calculated using administrative pharmacy data.

Keywords: continuity of care; opioids; pain; prescribing continuity.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Continuity of Patient Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Drug Overdose / epidemiology*
  • Drug Overdose / etiology
  • Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / adverse effects
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / etiology
  • Oregon / epidemiology
  • Patient Discharge / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
  • Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid