There were more than 40,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2017 and more than 2 million addicted in America. While fewer than half of those deaths were directly due to prescribed painkillers, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the role that prescription medication plays in the overall crisis is significant and complex.
More than one in ten U.S. adults are living in chronic pain and 11.5 million Americans, over 12 reported misusing prescription opioid in 2016.
A comprehensive solution is multi-faceted and will need significant changes in laws and regulations, funding and training as mentioned by American Hospital Association, priorities clearly shows. However, information technology that are now available can enable bold steps to over-prescribing, track the flow of opioid medications and keep them away from falling into unauthorized hands and also recommend alternative treatments.
As more information is acquired, new algorithms can help in predicting, which patients are most at risk to become addicted, improving the ability to target the use of these drugs to where they are needed the most and least likely to cause lasting harm.
Opioid addiction engagement solution can help solve the challenges of opioid overdose and addiction.