Fentanyl Quality Assurance Project Prompted Change in Clinical Workflow and Test Configurations

Deaths attributable to fentanyl (FEN, a synthetic opioid) are high in Appalachia and highest in West Virginia. The goal of the study was to determine FEN prevalence among specimens submitted for definitive opioid testing and monitor responses to provider notifications of unexpected FEN findings during Q1 2020.

All definitive opioid test data were reviewed daily for FEN signatures in Q1 2020. Unexpected FEN results were communicated to providers and monitored for 10 days to record actions taken. Prevalence data were categorized. Behavioral Medicine (BMED) leaders analyzed January data and implemented FEN screening in the clinic. BMED Q1 clinic visits and order volumes for drug screens were reviewed after Q1.

FEN positivity was 11% in Q1; >60% of findings were unexpected. Actions were taken for 54% of notifications in January but only 18% in March. Notifications required 70 hours of combined laboratory effort each month. BMED providers ordered 44% of definitive opioid tests and 69% of definitive FEN tests. Data prompted the addition of FEN to routine drug screen panels in the laboratory, and a 10% random FEN screening rate in the BMED opioid use disorder clinics (COAT).

Prevalence of FEN positivity was higher than initially expected, even for this region in Appalachia. Expanded presence of FEN screening should assist BMED providers with clinical efforts and help identify patients in need of intervention/therapy.