Journal article
Expanding Naloxone Coprescribing at a Regional VA Medical Center
American journal of medical quality, Vol.39(6), pp.275-279
11/2024
DOI: 10.1097/JMQ.0000000000000209
PMID: 39506239
Abstract
Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain and are more likely to be prescribed opioids. As a means of risk mitigation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense recommend naloxone for patients on opioids with risk factors, including use of ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents daily, concurrent benzodiazepine/sedative use, and pulmonary or liver disease. An interprofessional quality improvement team consisting of 6 residents, a pharmacist, a nurse educator, and a faculty mentor was formed to increase naloxone coprescriptions at a regional VA medical center Continuity of Care Clinic. Primary intervention identified eligible patients via the VA Primary Care Almanac's Opioid Therapy Risk Report and alerted providers by email and secure messaging. Naloxone coprescription rates increased from 42% initially in June 2022 to 82% by June 2023 (29/69 to 41/50 patients, P < 0.0001). This project demonstrates that notifying providers of high-risk patients can significantly increase naloxone coprescriptions.Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain and are more likely to be prescribed opioids. As a means of risk mitigation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense recommend naloxone for patients on opioids with risk factors, including use of ≥50 morphine milligram equivalents daily, concurrent benzodiazepine/sedative use, and pulmonary or liver disease. An interprofessional quality improvement team consisting of 6 residents, a pharmacist, a nurse educator, and a faculty mentor was formed to increase naloxone coprescriptions at a regional VA medical center Continuity of Care Clinic. Primary intervention identified eligible patients via the VA Primary Care Almanac's Opioid Therapy Risk Report and alerted providers by email and secure messaging. Naloxone coprescription rates increased from 42% initially in June 2022 to 82% by June 2023 (29/69 to 41/50 patients, P < 0.0001). This project demonstrates that notifying providers of high-risk patients can significantly increase naloxone coprescriptions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Expanding Naloxone Coprescribing at a Regional VA Medical Center
- Creators
- Jeremy Zhang - University of IowaKathie Zhang - University of IowaJoseph Phillips - University of IowaMichael C Sauer - University of IowaSarah Van Dorin - University of IowaPatrick Watson - University of IowaLauren Zabel - University of IowaEmily Peters - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemYvonne De Sloover KochEthan F Kuperman - University of IowaMatthew D Soltys - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of medical quality, Vol.39(6), pp.275-279
- Publisher
- LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
- DOI
- 10.1097/JMQ.0000000000000209
- PMID
- 39506239
- ISSN
- 1555-824X
- eISSN
- 1555-824X
- Grant note
- VA Quality Scholars fellowship, through the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advance Fellowship Program
This project was supported by the VA Quality Scholars fellowship, through the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advance Fellowship Program.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/07/2024
- Date published
- 11/2024
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy Practice and Science; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984743400102771
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