AI Article Synopsis
- Emergency care providers are increasingly treating opioid withdrawal using buprenorphine in the emergency department, based on a protocol established by a physician and pharmacist.
- A retrospective study reviewed 77 patients who received buprenorphine, revealing that many did not present with opioid withdrawal as their main issue, and most had a history of heroin use.
- The study highlights the safety and effectiveness of initiating buprenorphine treatment in emergency settings, with about 30% of patients attending outpatient follow-ups after discharge.
Article Abstract
Introduction: Emergency care providers routinely treat patients with acute presentations and sequelae of opioid use disorder. An emergency physician and pharmacist implemented a protocol using buprenorphine for the treatment of patients with opioid withdrawal at an academic, Level I trauma center. We describe our experience regarding buprenorphine implementation in the emergency department (ED), characteristics of patients who received buprenorphine, and rates of outpatient follow-up.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients in the ED for whom buprenorphine was administered to treat opioid withdrawal during an 18-month period from January 30, 2017-July 31, 2018. Data extraction of a priori-defined variables was recorded. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the cohort of patients.
Results: A total of 77 patients were included for analysis. Thirty-three patients (43%) who received buprenorphine did not present with the chief complaint of opioid withdrawal. Most patients (74%) who received buprenorphine last used heroin, and presented in moderate opioid withdrawal. One case of precipitated withdrawal occurred after buprenorphine administration. Twenty-three (30%) patients received outpatient follow-up.
Conclusions: This study underscores the safety of ED-initiated buprenorphine and that buprenorphine administration in the ED is feasible and effective.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7514395 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2020.6.46452 | DOI Listing |
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