Fentanyl-positive urine drug screens in the emergency department: Association with intentional opioid misuse and racial disparities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An increase in opioid-related overdoses, notably from potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, prompted this consideration of characteristics of emergency department (ED) patients with evidence for illicit fentanyl use or exposure, the correlation with intentional opioid misuse, and subsequent ED management.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting to an urban academic medical center ED with evidence for illicit fentanyl use, determined by positive urine drug screens (UDS), from 6/2021 through 11/2021. Participant demographics, comorbidities, ED chief complaint and disposition, and evidence of intentional opioid misuse were considered. Secondary outcomes included provision of buprenorphine/naloxone and/or naloxone kits at discharge, ED re

SUBMITTER: Shufflebarger EF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11363991 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature