Tales from the frontlines: An alarming rise in hospitalizations related to opioid use disorder in the era of COVID-19

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2021.0608

Keywords:

opioid use disorder, opioid epidemic, COVID-19 pandemic, hospital management

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had harmful effects on the opioid epidemic. While a negative effect was predicted, we report on this reality in the hospital setting. We have seen a sharp rise in hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Our data should encourage ongoing efforts to reduce barriers in accessing medications for treatment, harm reduction interventions and additional education for trainees, primary care providers, and hospitalists alike. In the current climate, these interventions are critical to save the lives of patients with OUD.

Author Biographies

Noel Ivey, MD

Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina

Dana Cooley Clifton, MD

Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina

References

Ochalek TA, Cumpston KL, Wills BK, et al.: Nonfatal opioid overdoses at an urban emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA. 2020; 324(16): 1673-1674.

Ochalek TA, Cumpston KL, Wills BK, et al.: Nonfatal opioid overdoses at an urban emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA. 2020. 324(16): 1673-1674.

Englander H, Salisbury-Afshar E, Gregg J, et al.: Converging crises: Caring for hospitalized adults with substance use disorder in the time of COVID-19. J Hosp Med. 2020. 15(10): 628-630.

US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division: COVID-19 information page. 2020. Available at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/coronavirus.html. Accessed August 31, 2020.

Durham County Public Health: Opioid, substance use, and addiction service: Available at https://www.dcopublichealth.org/services/health-education/opioid-substance-use-and-addictionservices. Accessed February 12, 2021.

Wakeman SE, Pham-Kanter G, Donelan K: Attitudes, practices, and preparedness to care for patients with substance use disorder: Results from a survey of general internists. Subst Abus. 2016; 37(4): 635-641.

Liebschutz JM, Crooks D, Herman D, et al.: Buprenorphine treatment for hospitalized, opioid-dependent patients: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2014; 174(8): 1369-1376.

Downloads

Published

01/01/2021

How to Cite

Ivey, MD, N., and D. C. Clifton, MD. “Tales from the Frontlines: An Alarming Rise in Hospitalizations Related to Opioid Use Disorder in the Era of COVID-19”. Journal of Opioid Management, vol. 17, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 5-7, doi:10.5055/jom.2021.0608.

Issue

Section

Brief Communication