Many patients are treated in the emergency room for non-fatal opioid overdose. However, it is unknown what proportion of these patient population experience subsequent fatality after their ED visit. 

A recent study investigated the 1-year mortality rate among Massachusetts ED patients who were treated and discharged from ED for non-fatal opioid overdose.

Results

• 11,557 patients were identified between July 1, 2011 and September 30, 2015.
• There were 635 fatalities (5.5%) within 1 year in this cohort.
  • Of these, 428 (67.4%) died due to opioid overdose

Of those who died, 

• 130 (20.5%) died within 1 month
• 29 (4.6%) died within 2 days.

Manner of death

• Natural causes: 121 (19.1%)
• Accidental: 460 (72.4%)
• Suicide: 13 (2.0%)
• Other/pending investigation: 41 (6.5%)

Place of death

• Hospital: 310 (48.8%)
• Residence: 146 (23.0%)
• Other/unknown/nursing home: 179 (28.2%)

Conclusion

• There is high rate of fatality within 1 month (20.5%) after non-fatal opioid overdose ED visits.
• Subsequent fatal opioid overdose was observed in 428 (67.4%) of the cohort.

References

Weiner SG et al. One-year mortality of patients after emergency department treatment for nonfatal opioid overdose. Ann Emerg Med 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.04.020