Opioid Poisoning Related Hospital Use in North Carolina

Bar chart showing opioid poisoning visits by type and sex, FY2015, North Carolina. Male: 1,744 prescription opioid poisoning, 1,137 heroin poisoning, 35 both prescription opioid and heroin poisoning. Female: 2,194 prescription opioid poisoning, 583 heroin poisoning, 22 both prescription opioid and heroin poisoning.Nationally, the opioid epidemic is expanding at a rapid pace. Deaths from opioid overdose quadrupled from 1999 to 2016.  North Carolina is experiencing a faster increase in drug overdose deaths than the nation as a whole. However, opioid use does not always manifest in death. One report estimates that there are four inpatient visits and ten emergency department visits for every death by opioid poisoning.

To better understand the opioid epidemic in North Carolina, this brief analyzes North Carolina hospital visit data and aims to provide a broader view of the state’s opioid epidemic and usage patterns than what can be seen in mortality data. Data on opioid poisoning visits are shown by type, sex, age and payer group for Fiscal Year 2015.

Read the brief:
Opioid Poisoning Related Hospital Use in North Carolina

Authors: Christina A. Smith and Mark Holmes
Posted: August 10, 2017

 

Companion brief:
Trends in North Carolina Hospital Use Related to Prescription Opioid and Heroin Poisoning, 2012-2015