Impact of a Pilot Outreach Program upon Provider Awareness and Prescribing of a Concerning Opioid Combination Regimen
UMass Chan Affiliations
Commonwealth Medicine, Clinical Pharmacy ServicesCommonwealth Medicine, Center for Health Policy and Research
Document Type
PosterPublication Date
2018-02-22Keywords
pilot programMedicaid
co-prescribing
opioids
benzodiazepines
stimulants
additive central nervous system depression
drug abuse
overdose
opioid epidemicpain managementAmerican Drug Utilization Review SocietyHealth EconomicsHealth Law and PolicyHealth PolicyHealth Services AdministrationHealth Services ResearchPharmaceutical PreparationsPharmacy Administration, Policy and RegulationSubstance Abuse and AddictionTherapeutics
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Show full item recordAbstract
This pilot program was developed in response to a drug utilization review within a large Medicaid population that revealed some hazardous practices. Co-prescribing of opioids with benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and other stimulants occurred in more than 500 members, putting them at risk for additive central nervous system depression, misuse, abuse, and death from overdose. The poster presentation outlines the objectives, methods, and results of a telephonic outreach program that addressed these safety concerns. It captures prescriber awareness of the presence and risks of potentially deadly medication combinations among members in their care, with some intriguing results. Our experts provide health plans with framework and support to address the opioid epidemic head on with robust opioid medication management programs, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and prescriber outreach. Our interdisciplinary team’s innovative approach helps health plans decrease inappropriate opioid usage and while ensuring members maintain access to appropriate pain management. This presentation was given at the American Drug Utilization Review Society (ADURS) conference February 22-24, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona.DOI
10.13028/aafy-q316Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/26953Rights
© 2018 University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolScopus Count
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