Fewer Overdoses, Hospitalizations Seen with Outpatient Meds for Opioid Use Disorder

Findings in this comparative effectiveness research study suggest that outpatient medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) may be less likely than inpatient care to be associated with later overdose or hospitalization. The study of 37,090 individuals with opioid use disorder receiving outpatient medication treatment or inpatient care found that all forms of inpatient care (short- or long-term) were associated with higher risk of subsequent overdose and hospitalization. Future research should assess which patients benefit most from inpatient care and how best to leverage existing inpatient treatment infrastructure. More