A retrospective chart review of opioid represcribing following nonfatal overdose at a Veterans Affairs hospital

INTRODUCTION: Opioid-related overdoses have risen despite extensive media coverage and apparent awareness of this public health crisis. Emergency department visits related to opioid use nearly tripled from 2004 to 2011. Patients with mental illness are more likely to be prescribed opioids and have higher rates of overdose. This retrospective chart review sought to determine if opioid represcribing occurred after patients were treated for a nonfatal opioid overdose (NFO) at a Veterans Affairs hospital. METHODS: Patients who experienced an NFO between 2009 and 2013 were included and charts reviewed until January 1, 2016. Review of the electronic medical record (EMR) was performed to determine if and when opioids were again prescribed after NFO. RESULTS: Fifty-six veterans met the inclusion criteria. A new opioid prescription was issued to 82% of patients within 3 months following the index NFO date. The average daily morphine equivalent dose prescribed before (122 mg) and after (120 mg) NFO did not differ. A subsequent opioid overdose event occurred in 25% of patients, and there was 1 fatal event. Only 1 patient had medication overdose on the problem list of their EMR. DISCUSSION: Despite experiencing NFO, veterans continued to be prescribed opioids without significant changes in the drug or dose; some experienced repeated overdose events, possibly due to poor communication and documentation of NFO. Pharmacists can play a key role in clinical interventions and education of patients and prescribers.