Opioid-related hospital stays and emergency department visits for patients 65 and older increased 54 percent and 100 percent, respectively, between 2010 and 2015, according to a new report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Based on data from the agency’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, the 124,300 hospital stays and 36,200 ED visits in 2015 for seniors with opioid-related diagnoses also cost more on average than those for seniors with other conditions and were more likely to result in discharge to a post-acute care facility. According to a second new report by the agency, about one in five seniors filled at least one outpatient opioid prescription in 2015-2016. “The statistics in these reports provide important new insights into the opioid crisis and its impact on one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations,” said AHRQ Director Gopal Khanna. “The information is essential in supporting the Department of Health and Human Services’ and HHS Secretary Alex Azar’s ongoing efforts to confront the epidemic.”

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Sept. 18 passed the AHA-supported SUPPORT Act (H.R. 2483) by a voice vote, advancing the bill to President Trump to sign into law. The bill…
Headline
The Food and Drug Administration Sept. 10 released draft guidance on non-opioid treatments for treating chronic pain and reducing prescription opioid misuse.…
Headline
A Health Affairs study published Sept. 2 found that less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder received standard care in alignment with…
Headline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Aug. 5 announced a new campaign educating youth ages 12-17 on substance use, mental health and how they are…
Headline
The Food and Drug Administration July 31 announced that it is requiring safety label changes to all opioid pain medications to further emphasize and explain…
Headline
The AHA released a new toolkit to improve continuity of care for patients with opioid and stimulant use disorders. Developed with support from the Centers for…