Here at the University of Northern Iowa, students are required to take a Capstone Experience (a university offered course) in order to meet the requirements for graduation. So, over this past summer, I decided to take the Capstone: Community and Public Health. During one of our units, we discussed the opiate crisis happening here in the United States, sparking my curiosity to learn more on the matter.
Photo: Deloitte *OUD stands for opioid use disorder
For those of you who don’t know, opioids are a broad group of pain-relieving drugs that when prescribed by a doctor safely help control acute pain, such as pain one would experience after surgery. However, the feeling of pleasure that results from taking the drug also makes it addictive to some. To go more in depth, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says “opioids are a class of drug that includes the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, amongst many others.” The NIDA also goes on to say that “every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids… it is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.”
Photo: National Institute on Drug Abuse * Image Updated February 2018
I assume by now you’re probably wondering what the opioid crisis has to do with information technology (IT), well there’s a simple response to your inquiry. Because of the ravaging effects of opiate abuse, “states are turning to data analytics and mapping to help alleviate the human toll and direct critical resources to address the epidemic.” Meaning state governments, various government organizations and healthcare providers are gathering information to better pinpoint at-risk communities and their members.
Many of the techniques of data analytics have been automated into mechanical processes and algorithms which draw insights from data sources to reveal trends, compared to having piles of information where things can be often overlooked. Data analytics keeps information in one place, optimizing processes and increasing efficiency for a business or organization. Currently, various groups are gathering information from clinics, pharmacies and health plans on opioid distribution (tracking prescription drug providers) to improve prevention and treatment options regarding the opioid epidemic. In many instances’ groups are trying to track opiate overdoses happening nationwide, as well as those who are responsible for filling opiate prescriptions.
Mapping these findings offers a good visual representation of the overall problem. Above I have an image from the National Institute on Drug Abuse depicting the number of opioid-related overdose death rates by state. Iowa, for example, falls into the 6.0%-9.9% death rate per 100,000 individuals. Deloitte also offers a detailed opioid epidemic impact map depicting the distribution of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) facilities (treatment facilities to help those with substance abuse problems), opioid-prescription rates, and opioid-related death rates.
Photo: Deloitte
Why is this data important? --
Many health care providers are finding that data is a powerful tool in addressing the opioid epidemic. In some cases, insurers are using this data in regards to the insureds claim; while clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices use this information to see prescription patterns in their facilities (per department, per doctor, etc.). As well as patterns in patient risk factors that may or may not make someone a good candidate to receive an opiate for post operations. Overall, this data is calculated in hopes facilities will use this information to navigate different treatment plans for their patients.
My question to you, how can we better integrate these systems to make a push towards data sharing? If all health care providers had access to the same information not only could they view a patient's record at a push of the button, but the appropriate parties could easily track doctors who have higher opioid prescribing rates. Then make a push to educate those in a position of power to make sure guidelines and regulations are being followed and or a patient's history is taken into consideration before a prescription is written.
Data analytics helps bring the issue into focus. We’ve recognized in recent years there is an opiate epidemic. Now it’s time we listen to the facts and figures to start saving lives.
Posted by: Kate O’Dell
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