The Impact of Florida’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome [39F

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), E-FORCSE, was implemented in response to the national opioid epidemic in 2011 as a way to decrease inappropriate prescribing and access to opioid medications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at UF Health at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL with IRB approval. Data was collected from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015. We investigated the in-hospital length of stay, hospital charges associated with observation and treatment of newborns affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), type of treatment required (eg, pharmacologic, supportive), and type of opioid exposure during pregnancy. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-three eligible newborns were included in the study. The average length of stay for newborns diagnosed with NAS, requiring only supportive measures was 4.6 days. The average length of stay for newborns diagnosed with NAS requiring pharmacologic management was 14.4 days. Over the four year study period, hospital charges related to the diagnosis and treatment of NAS increased from $1.7 million in 2012 to $2.5 million in 2015. The percentage of newborns diagnosed with NAS requiring pharmacologic management increased from 53.8% in 2012 to 64.5% in 2015. CONCLUSION: Despite the initiation of the PDMP in Florida, there was no noted decrease in the incidence of NAS. In fact, the incidence of NAS, hospital charges, and length of stay all increased over the length of the study. Encouraging use of contraception, including LARC, may decrease the incidence of unintended pregnancy and may play a part in decreasing in-utero exposure to opioids.