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Opioid Prescribing During Delivery Hospitalization Associated with Increased Postpartum Emergency Department Utilization

Bagwell Adams, G.; Yarbrough, C.; Harris, S.; Abraham, A.

2020-10-27 obstetrics and gynecology
10.1101/2020.10.26.20219923 medRxiv
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Structured AbstractO_ST_ABSBackgroundC_ST_ABSEmpirical evidence shows postpartum women are prescribed opioids at high rates following both cesarean and vaginal delivery. Beyond this, little is known about opioid prescribing to postpartum mothers following delivery hospitalization and the resulting impacts for maternal health. Postpartum women may be particularly vulnerable to adverse health effects from inappropriate prescribing. ObjectivesThis study examines the effects of postpartum opioid prescribing on emergency department (ED) utilization, controlling for delivery type and other maternal characteristics. Study DesignWe conduct a retrospective cohort study using 2008-2016 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). ResultsWe find 31% of women received a new opioid prescription following delivery, and that receipt of an opioid prescription following delivery hospitalization is associated with a 67% increase in the odds of an ED visit. ConclusionThis study is one of the first to test the relationship between opioid prescribing and healthcare utilization among this population, contributing critical information to our understanding of implications for opioid prescribing after childbirth for postpartum women.

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