Opioid Misuse Risk: Implementing Screening Protocols in an Ambulatory Oncology Clinic

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pain Management
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Rising morbidity and mortality from opioid misuse necessitate better risk assessment in patient populations.
• Screening for opioid misuse risk is not yet a standard clinical practice.
• Oncology patients may be at increased risk for opioid misuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of using the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) for screening opioid misuse risk in an ambulatory oncology clinic.
• To identify the prevalence of moderate- to high-risk individuals for aberrant opioid-related behaviors within this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study was conducted in an ambulatory oncology setting.
• The Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) was administered to screen patients for future opioid misuse risk.
• Patient data on risk scores and personal substance abuse history were collected.

Main Results:

• Twelve patients screened as moderate- to high-risk for aberrant behaviors.
• Eight patients reported a personal history of substance abuse.
• These findings indicate a significant need for opioid misuse risk screening in cancer patient populations.

Conclusions:

• The Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) is a feasible and quick screening method for opioid misuse risk.
• Incorporating ORT screening into standard practice may help identify at-risk cancer patients.
• Early identification can facilitate timely interventions to mitigate opioid misuse.