Optimization of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to Overcome Opioid Epidemic in West Virginia

Abstract

The development of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) led to an innovation in the healthcare organization system (HCOs). The PDMP system has been utilized in different states at various organizational levels in an effort to achieve improved health outcomes, reduce the number of prescription drug overdoses, and lighten the economic burden that follows. However, during the implementation of PDMP, there were several barriers and limitations that were discovered. Those barriers impeded the process of utilization of PDMP, such as the complex user interface and lack of training for healthcare providers. The purpose of this paper was to examine the advances and limitations in the utilization and implementation of PDMP in the US healthcare industry and develop strategies for effective use of PDMP in West Virginia.The qualitative part of this paper was a literature review. The paper referred to several peer-reviewed studies and research articles from several reliable resources, which were reached by databases or Google Scholar. A total of 44 articles were reviewed for this study.The implementation of the PDMP was influenced by benefits and barriers. This article reviewed several studies in general that demonstrated positive outcomes from the implementation of PDMP, including a reduced number of prescription drug overdoses, coordinated care for patients, and improved health outcomes. However, the barriers and limitations were not neglected, which mainly include integration of PDMP into the electronic health record (EHR) system, lack of training for the providers, and lack of basic standards for the use of PDMP.Although the new health reforms encouraged the adaption of PDMP among providers, data reporting and data interpretation still remain major concerns for assessing the health outcomes of PDMP implementation.

Efficacy of interventions targeted at physician prescribers of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of systematic reviews

“…Twelve primary studies evaluated opioid prescription reduction post PDMP [ 41 – 52 ]. PDMPs are state-wide programmes that aim to provide healthcare providers and law enforcement with prescription history and patient information in an effort to control the dispensing of drugs and occurrence of addiction [ 53 ]. A population of 2877 prescribers was included in these studies.…”

Risk Factors for Emergency Department Presentations after the Initiation of Opioid Analgesics in Non-Cancer Patients in Korea: A Nationwide Study

“…Over the past two decades, we have witnessed a dramatic rise in opioid use, with many unintended consequences, such as opioid overdose, misuse, related utilization of hospitals, and even death, particularly in North America [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. According to these negative consequences of opioid use, the United States government declared an opioid crisis and introduced various strategies to regulate opioid prescriptions, including prescription drug monitoring programs, lock-in programs, and opioid rescheduling [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The number of deaths related to prescription opioids has decreased (17,029 in 2017 vs. 14,139 in 2019) due to these various efforts, but the opioid crisis is still ongoing [ 9 ].…”