Reflecting on the opioid-related data from previous DHMW surveys, it is evident that healthcare organizations have made notable strides in adopting technology for opioid mitigation and management. A significant finding from the 2024 data indicates that a high percentage of organizations (85.6%) have fully adopted order sets that either default to or recommend limiting doses and durations while also providing non-opioid options. This demonstrates a sustained effort to establish safer prescribing practices and promote alternative pain management strategies within clinical workflows.
Despite the positive trends, some areas still present opportunities for improvement. For instance, while a majority of systems are capable of identifying patients at elevated risk of overdose or SUD (64.7% full adoption), the integration with community resources for SUD treatment remains lower, with 36.2% of systems fully adopted. This gap highlights the need for better connectivity and collaboration between healthcare providers and community support systems, which would create a more comprehensive care network for individuals struggling with opioid-related issues.
Moreover, the increased reliance on digital solutions to enhance opioid stewardship is reflected in routine meetings attended by senior IT leaders, indicating an institutional prioritization of technology in this sphere. The 2023 survey results suggest that almost all participants have implemented supportive technologies, though these technologies may not always be fully leveraged. This underscores the necessity not only for the adoption of such tools but also for effective user engagement and continuous training to maximize their impact on reducing opioid misuse.
Overall, the evaluation of survey data over the years reveals a clear upward trend in the deployment of opioid mitigation technologies, reflecting a committed effort from healthcare organizations to leverage digital health interventions in combating the opioid crisis. While significant advancements have been made, ongoing efforts to integrate and optimize these technologies are crucial to achieving sustained, substantial reductions in opioid use and overdose.
CHIME DHMW National Trend Reports and Opioid Insights 2019-2024
2024 DHMW National Trends Report
2023 DHMW National Trends Report
2022 DHMW National Trends Report
2021 DHMW Trends Opioid Management
2021 DHMW Trends Opioid Management - KLAS Insights
2020 DHMW Trends
2019 DHMW Trends Opioid Management - KLAS Insights