Group topic: Overdose and the Impact on Health Care Focus question: In patients with opioid-related hospital stays, how does opioid-related spending compared to other hospital-stay visits, affects th

Overdose and the Impact on Health Care

Name

University

NR 449: Evidence Base Practice

Ellen Schneider DNP, MSN, BSN,RN

Date

Overdose and the Impact on Health Care

The issue of opioid overdose has become a significant public health concern with global implications for healthcare systems. The incidence of mortality and disability among drug users is significantly attributed to overdose, particularly in cases involving opioid consumption. The consequences of this phenomenon are severe for the well-being of patients and represent a significant strain on healthcare infrastructures. This paper examines the issue of drug overdose and its ramifications for the healthcare sector.

Significance of the Problem

The impact of the overdose problem on patient outcomes highlights its significance. Overdose-related deaths and disabilities significantly impact mortality and morbidity rates among drug users. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 2021 drug overdoses resulted in an estimated 107,622 fatalities in the United States, with opioids being the leading cause of such occurrences (CDC, 2022). As mentioned above, the statistic underscores the pressing necessity for efficacious interventions and healthcare strategies to mitigate the incidence and aftermath of overdose.

Moreover, the crisis of opioid overdose has implications that extend beyond national borders. Research has identified three distinct groupings of overdose prevalence on a global scale. The initial cluster comprises nations helmed by the United States, which have exhibited historically elevated levels of opioid overdose. The countries within the second cluster indicate a rising trend in overdose rates that falls within a worrisome range. According to Krausz et al. (2021), the third cluster is composed of nations that exhibit notably low overdose rates. The discoveries mentioned above underscore that overdose is not confined to particular geographical areas but instead constitutes a universal public health issue that necessitates a comprehensive reaction from healthcare systems across the globe.

PICOT Question

In patients at risk of overdose, does the implementation of comprehensive harm reduction strategies, including access to naloxone, overdose prevention education, and increased availability of substance use treatment programs, reduce the incidence of fatal overdoses and improve patient outcomes compared to standard care? In patients at risk of overdose, does the implementation of comprehensive harm reduction strategies, including access to naloxone, overdose prevention education, and increased availability of substance use treatment programs, reduce the incidence of fatal overdoses and improve patient outcomes compared to standard care?

Purpose of the Paper

This study aims to analyze the effects of overdose on healthcare and patient outcomes. The objective is to investigate the present condition of the opioid overdose crisis, assess the efficacy of care systems, and analyze global advancements. Furthermore, the present study will examine the ramifications of health inequalities concerning opioid overdose, specifically amid the COVID-19 outbreak. This paper aims to provide healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders with insights into the significance of addressing overdose as a crucial public health concern by thoroughly examining the available evidence.

Levels of Evidence

The type of question this paper asks falls under the therapy category. This study aims to assess the efficacy of harm reduction tactics and medical interventions in mitigating overdose-related mortalities and enhancing patient results. To address this inquiry, the most suitable forms of evidence would comprise randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses that evaluate the effects of particular interventions on overdose incidence, mortality rates, and patient outcomes (Patel et al., 2021). Furthermore, qualitative research can yield significant contributions by shedding light on the subjective experiences and viewpoints of individuals impacted by overdose and their interactions with healthcare systems.

Search Strategy

The process of retrieving pertinent articles was carried out through the utilization of the CU library databases, with a specific emphasis on the identified PICOT question. The study employed the subsequent search phrases: "overdose prevention," "harm reduction strategies," "naloxone access," "substance use treatment programs," "opioid overdose crisis," and "health disparities in opioid overdose." The search was conducted using several databases: PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Utilizing a conglomeration of databases, an all-encompassing assortment of articles from the medical, nursing, and public health domains were procured. Throughout the search procedure, determinations were rendered to narrow the outcomes and procure a reasonable quantity of articles for assessment. The decisions made in this regard involved restricting the scope of the search to articles published within the last five years to ensure that the information gathered is current and pertinent. Furthermore, the articles were chosen based on their emphasis on opioid overdose, healthcare interventions, harm reduction strategies, and patient outcomes.

Relevant Articles

Krausz et al. (2021) have published an article titled "The opioid overdose crisis as a global health challenge," deemed pertinent to the subject. The initial report scrutinizes the present condition of the opioid overdose crisis, specifically emphasizing drug markets and usage patterns, the efficacy of care systems, and global advancements. The authors emphasize that drug overdose significantly contributes to mortality and disability among individuals who engage in drug use (Krausz et al., 2021). Additionally, they examine the evolving drug markets and inadequate regional care systems in North America. The authors additionally identify three clusters of overdose prevalence globally and underscore the significance of factors such as street drug contamination, treatment accessibility, and the broader healthcare system in contributing to overdose rates. The article's conclusion highlights the necessity of a uniform system response to tackle the catastrophic consequences of the crisis effectively.

The subsequent scholarly publication is titled "Implications of Health Disparities in the Opioid Overdose Crisis Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic" and was authored by Patel et al. (2021). This article focuses on ED admissions for opioid overdose in a Southern city to investigate how the COVID-19 epidemic has contributed to the ongoing overdose crisis and associated health inequities. Researchers reviewed data from January to October 2019 and 2020 and found that visits due to opioid overdoses increased by 9.7 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year (Patel et al., 2021). Overdose deaths were also found to be much higher among people of African descent, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as drug abuse treatment, harm reduction, and overdose prevention programs, especially among vulnerable populations. The study emphasizes the need for immediate actions to reduce opioid overdose, especially in the South and among the Black community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the articles above offer significant perspectives regarding the opioid overdose epidemic and its ramifications for the healthcare sector. Krausz et al. (2021) underscore the worldwide scope of the crisis, wherein the evolving drug markets and deficient care systems are contributing to the escalating overdose rates, primarily in North America. The significance of mitigating street drug contamination, enhancing treatment accessibility, and improving the overall system response is emphasized by the authors as crucial measures to decrease the prevalence of overdose effectively. The study conducted by Patel and colleagues (2021) provides insights into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health disparities and opioid overdose crises, with a particular focus on marginalized groups. The study's results underscore the escalated frequency of opioid overdose hospitalizations amid the pandemic and the unequal impact on the Black population. The research highlights the importance of interventions for substance use treatment, harm reduction, and overdose prevention, emphasizing the urgency of prompt actions to tackle opioid overdose.

References

CDC. (2022, May 11). U.S. Overdose Deaths In 2021 Increased Half as Much as in 2020 – But Are Still Up 15%. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/202205.htm

Krausz, R. M., Westenberg, J. N., & Ziafat, K. (2021). The opioid overdose crisis as a global health challenge. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(4), 405-412.

Patel, I., Walter, L. A., & Li, L. (2021). Opioid overdose crises during the COVID-19 pandemic: implication of health disparities. Harm Reduction Journal, 18, 1-5.