Prevalence of and Factors Related to Prescription Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Hypnotics Among Medicare Home Health Recipients.

TitlePrevalence of and Factors Related to Prescription Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Hypnotics Among Medicare Home Health Recipients.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsCotton BP, Lohman MC, Brooks JM, Whiteman KL, Bao Y, Greenberg RL, Bruce ML
JournalHome Healthc Now
Volume35
Issue6
Pagination304-313
Date Published2017 Jun
ISSN2374-4537
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Analgesics, Opioid, Benzodiazepines, Chronic Pain, Female, Home Care Services, Humans, Hypnotics and Sedatives, Male, Medicare, Prescription Drug Misuse, Prescription Drugs, United States
Abstract

High rates of controlled prescription drugs are associated with cognitive impairment, falls, and misuse and dependence. Little is known about the prevalence of these medications among older adults receiving home healthcare. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of, and the factors related to, opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines (BNZ), and nonbenzodiazepine (NBNZH) hypnotics among a large sample of older adults entering home healthcare services. The data came from administrative records of 133 Certified Home healthcare Agencies located across 32 states. Patients (age ≥ 65) receiving Medicare home healthcare services and who received a start-of-care Medicare OASIS assessment between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, were included in the study (n = 87,780). Rates of controlled medication use were compared across patient-level sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and environmental variables. The prevalence of controlled medication was high, with 58% prescribed at least one class of controlled drug, 44% were prescribed an opioid, 19% were prescribed a BNZ, and almost 7% were prescribed a NBZDH. Factors independently associated with higher levels of controlled medication usage include younger-old age, white race, postsurgical status, injuries, referral from inpatient settings, and rural location. Home healthcare clinicians are well positioned to review and reconcile medication, oversee referrals and follow-up care, and provide ongoing assessment of risk regarding the use of opioids, BNZ, and hypnotics among home healthcare patients.

DOI10.1097/NHH.0000000000000553
Alternate JournalHome Healthc Now
PubMed ID28562400
PubMed Central IDPMC5505646
Grant ListP30 AG022845 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH096441 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH073553 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
Category: 
Faculty Publication