MedPage Today (7/2, Firth) reports a study found that “referrals for outpatient treatment after a suspected opioid overdose ranged from 8% to 44%, and Black patients were less likely to receive such a referral versus white patients.” Researchers observed that “among nearly 1,700 emergency department (ED) patients with suspected opioid overdose, 17.8% received a referral for outpatient treatment, 42.4% received a naloxone kit or prescription, and 8.4% received a buprenorphine prescription.” Yet, they noted that just “5.7% of Black patients received an outpatient treatment referral versus 9.6% of white patients.” Researchers concluded, “These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address racial disparities in ED care for [opioid use disorder], particularly in enhancing referral processes and buprenorphine prescribing practices for Black patients.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
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