Pharmacist-initiated naloxone discharge prescribing for high-risk hospitalized internal medicine patients

J Opioid Manag. 2024 Nov-Dec;20(6):443-448. doi: 10.5055/jom.0887.

Abstract

Pharmacists nationwide may play a critical role in expanding naloxone access after several states enacted legislation to allow pharmacist prescribing of opioid antagonists. This created a unique opportunity for inpatient pharmacists to participate in combating the opioid epidemic by prescribing naloxone at hospital discharge. A multifaceted intervention was developed to identify and educate hospitalized patients eligible for naloxone prescribing. After implementation, 22 of 40 eligible patients (55 percent) were prescribed naloxone by inpatient pharmacists during the 3-month study period. With this pharmacist-driven intervention, there was an 848 percent increase in the number of hospitalized chronic opioid patients with naloxone prescriptions on discharge.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Drug Prescriptions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal Medicine*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naloxone* / administration & dosage
  • Naloxone* / therapeutic use
  • Narcotic Antagonists* / therapeutic use
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Patient Discharge*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Pharmacists* / organization & administration
  • Pharmacy Service, Hospital / organization & administration
  • Professional Role
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Naloxone
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Analgesics, Opioid