Incidence of Chronic Opioid Use in Previously Opioid-Naïve Patients Receiving Opioids for Analgesia in the Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Inappropriate prescribing of opioids has contributed to misuse and a rise in accidental deaths. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of chronic opioid use in previously opioid-naïve patients who received opioids for analgesia while in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to identify potential risk factors in patients that transition to chronic opioid use.

Methods: A retrospective analysis included patients admitted to the medical, surgical, or cardiovascular ICU at the Michael E.