Background: The volume of opioid prescriptions in the US has increased dramatically over the last two decades, and strong evidence suggests that this has perpetuated opioid misuse, addiction, overdose, and drug-related deaths. We aimed to learn if there are differences in opioid prescribing among generalist physicians, NPs, and PAs to Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: We performed [...]

Background: In an effort to combat the national opioid crisis, our state legislation passed House Bill 451 effective July 1, 2019. It addresses medication overprescribing to decrease morbidity and mortality from opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose. The law has several requirements including discussion of non-opioid treatment alternatives, review of the Prescription Monitoring Drug Program (PDMP) [...]

Background: Clinician prescribing practices are a contributing factor to and potential mitigator of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Several studies have identified the hospital setting as an important entry point into chronic opioid use. The Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have made recommendations for [...]

Background: Hospitalists are at the forefront of the opioid epidemic. Over half of hospitalized patients are exposed to opioids during their admission, most of whom are opioid naïve.1 Patients discharged on opioids have a 15% chance of long-term use after one year.2 There is significant variation in provider opioid prescribing practices, even within the same [...]