Among patients ages 65 and older, the rate of opioid-related hospitalizations jumped 34 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to statistical brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The statistical brief presents statistics on opioid-related hospital stays and emergency department visits among patients ages 65 and older in 2010 and 2015.
Between 2010 and 2015, the researchers found a 34.3 percent increase in the rate of opioid-related hospital stays, from 199.3 to 267.6 per 100,000 population, compared to a 17.4 percent decrease in the rate of nonopioid-related stays.
The study also revealed a 74.2 percent increase in the rate of opioid-related emergency department visits during the same time period, from 44.7 to 77.9 per 100,000 population, compared to a 17.4 percent increase in the rate of nonopioid-related ED visits
Compared to nonopioid-related hospital stays among these patients in 2015, opioid-related stays involved higher average inpatient costs and ED charges as well as a higher proportion of patients discharged against medical advice.