Impact of a Mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Check on Emergency Department Opioid Prescribing Rates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) exist in 49 states to guide opioid prescribing. In 40 states, clinicians must check the PDMP prior to prescribing an opioid. Data on mandated PDMP checks show mixed results on opioid prescribing.

Objectives

This study sought to examine the impact of the Massachusetts mandatory PDMP check on opioid prescribing for discharges from an urban tertiary emergency department (ED).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of discharges from one ED from 7/1/2010-10/15/2018. The primary outcome was the monthly percentage of patients discharged from the ED with an opioid prescription. The intervention was Massachusetts mandating a PDMP check for all opioid prescriptions. Prescribing was compared pre- and post-mandate.

SUBMITTER: Watson CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8206309 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature