Pennsylvania

Opioid-Overdose Admissions Drop at Pennsylvania Hospitals, Report Finds

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council research shows that the number of overdose admissions at Pennsylvania hospitals was 3,342 in 2016, 3,500 in 2017 and 2,667 last year

What to Know

  • Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council research shows that the number of overdose admissions at Pennsylvania hospitals dropped.
  • Opioid-overdose admissions were at 3,342 in 2016, 3,500 in 2017 and 2,667 last year.
  • PHC4's executive director says the findings support other opioid-related data for Pennsylvania, including a decrease in overdose deaths.

Pennsylvania opioid-overdose admissions dropped by 833 in 2018, a nearly 24% decrease when compared to the previous year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

PHC4 research shows that the number of overdose admissions at Pennsylvania hospitals was 3,342 in 2016, 3,500 in 2017 and 2,667 last year.

Joe Martin, PHC4 executive director, said the findings support other opioid-related data for Pennsylvania, including a decrease in overdose deaths. The state reported in August that overdose deaths in Pennsylvania dropped by 18% from 5,377 in 2017 to 4,413 last year.

“The decrease in heroin overdose admissions is particular noteworthy as 2018 marks the first time in almost a decade where we see a decrease in those numbers,” Martin said.

Martin said the report did show an increases in hospitalizations for overdose of cocaine and amphetamines. “[This is] something we will continue to monitor,” said Martin.

Read more about the findings on PBJ.com.

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