HCAHPS scores not influenced by opioid prescriptions, say JAMA researchers
The findings suggest that the move by CMS to remove pain management from consideration will have little effect on hospital payments.
Citing influence from post-discharge opioid prescriptions, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services will no longer take pain management into account when determining hospital payment. But a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that in fact no correlation exists between opioid prescriptions and pain management scores recorded by CMS' Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.
The findings suggest that the move by CMS to remove pain management from consideration will have little effect on hospital payments. The agency's chief concern, the study said, was that patients often fill out their surveys during a time when many are filling their opioid prescriptions, and so clinicians may overprescribe opioids after discharge to ensure solid ratings and reimbursement.
Researchers examined data from Michigan on patients who underwent orthopedic, general, gynecologic, cancer, cardiac and vascular surgery from 2012 to 2014, and found no statistically significant link between opioids and HCAHPS scores. The conclusion, they said, is that reducing opioid prescriptions would likely not worsen HCAHPS scores and hospital reimbursements, at least in Michigan.
[Also: Spending bill promises nothing to insurers, funds healthcare initiatives to fight opioid abuse]
The findings come as the nation continues to be affected by an ongoing opioid abuse crisis. IN April, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it will give all 50 states a total $485 million in grants to combat the problem, with the money to be disbursed in two funding rounds provided for in the 21st Century Cures Act through the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration administers the grants to support prevention, treatment, and recovery services depending on the needs of in each state.
HHS has prioritized a number of strategies to address the opioid crisis. One is to "advance the practice of pain management."
The JAMA study said that surgical patients are a key contributor to HCAHPS scores, and opioids account for almost 40 percent of surgical prescriptions.
Twitter: @JELagasse
