Implementation of a clinical pathway to screen and treat medical inpatients for opioid withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opioid-related inpatient hospital stays are increasing at alarming rates. Unidentified and poorly treated opioid withdrawal may be associated with inpatients leaving against medical advice and increased health care utilization. To address these concerns, we developed and implemented a clinical pathway to screen and treat medical service inpatients for opioid withdrawal.

Methods

The pathway process included a two-item universal screening instrument to identify opioid withdrawal risk (Opioid Withdrawal Risk Assessment [OWRA]), use of the validated Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) to monitor opioid withdrawal symptoms and severity, and a 72-h buprenorphine/naloxone-based treatment protocol. Implementation outcomes including adoption, fidelity, and sustainabili

SUBMITTER: Williams KD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9281054 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature