Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of non-substance use-related mental health emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient physician visits for individuals receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) over one year.
Findings/Key points
Lower odds of ED use and hospitalization were associated with older age (46+ compared to less than 25) and being employed. Higher odds of ED use and hospitalization was associated with positive opioid urine drug screens, having more comorbid conditions (7+ health conditions compared to 0–2 health conditions), and receipt of outpatient mental healthcare were associated with higher odds of ED visits or hospitalizations. Healthcare costs were considerably higher for those receiving acute care treatment for mental health conditions as compared to outpatient care.
Design/methods
Observational cohort data collected from 3,430 individuals receiving treatment for OUD in Ontario, Canada, was linked with health administrative records available for all individuals enrolled in Ontario’s public health insurance program.
