Chad Roberts, MSII and Scott Pew, MPH Candidate
University of Utah
Originally Published: Modern Resident April/May 2016
Epidemiology
While the CDC was compiling data from 1999 to 2014, more than 165,000 people in the US died from overdoses linked to prescription opioids.[1] The opioids most commonly prescribed include methadone, oxycodone and hydrocodone. From 2004 to 2010, ED visits due to abuse of prescription drugs increased 115% while visits due to illicit drugs increased 18%.[2] Currently up to 1,000 people per day are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids. While emergency physicians are responsible for less than 5% of immediate and extended-release opiate prescriptions, they prescribe opiates for 17% of ED discharges.[4] Reasons for ED opioid prescriptions most commonly include back pain, abdominal pain and fractures/sprains.[4] We are in a position to help play a pivotal role in prescriptions, addictions and treating overdoses.[3]
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