Opioid Safety Scores in EMR Improve Patient Outcomes

As the opioid epidemic continues to plague the U.S., healthcare providers are faced with the challenge of combatting a public health emergency unlike any the nation has seen before. According to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency department visits for opioid overdoses increased 30 percent across 45 states from July 2016 through September 2017.

Sparrow Health System in Michigan is working to address the epidemic not only for patients currently grappling with opioid addiction, but by also identifying patients at risk to improve future outcomes.

Administering Opioid Safety Scores

In efforts to better assess and monitor patients on opioids, Sparrow Health System implemented the Michigan Opioid Safety Score (MOSS) tool into its EMR. Used upon patient admission, MOSS calculates risk levels and recommends intervention techniques based on each patient’s needs, as identified by the electronic assessment. Sparrow is the first hospital in the nation to implement the scoring guide into its EMR.

Since its implementation in November 2015, the organization’s use of naloxone – a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses –decreased from one percent to .52 percent. Additionally, Sparrow caregiver survey results show an increase in comfort levels for caregivers treating patients with opioid addiction.

HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Revalidation

HIMSS Analytics is proud to recognize Sparrow Health System for its revalidation as a Stage 7 healthcare system, as tracked by the EMRAM/O-EMRAM.

“Information technology has become a competitive advantage for Sparrow,” said Tom Bres, senior vice president, chief administrative officer and chief information officer with Sparrow Health System. “We are able to advance innovation in our patient care processes through our technology platforms. Thank you to HIMSS for recognizing this innovation, and to the thousands of Sparrow caregivers who deliver and leverage our technology for our patients every day.”

“Sparrow Health System continues to be an innovative organization in its use of its EMR,” said Philip Bradley, regional director of North America for HIMSS Analytics. “As stated by the CEO Dennis Swan, their goal is to make IT a sustainable and a competitive advantage.”

Originally published May 29, 2018, updated July 19, 2018