MedPath

Opioid Management for Discharged Emergency Department Patients

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Bone Fractures
Interventions
Device: Standard Pill Bottle
Device: Addinex
Registration Number
NCT06592378
Lead Sponsor
Addinex Technologies, Inc.
Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to analyze the use of the Addinex system for opioid dispensing after ambulatory care to determine whether it will reduce opioid consumption, increase pill disposal, show variables that may predict opioid consumption, and determine whether this intervention is acceptable to patients.

Detailed Description

Prescription opioids remain a popular drug class with 143 million (M) opioid prescriptions written in 2020. In that same year, 8.7 million people (2.6% of the US population) misused prescription pain relievers, and overdose deaths from opioids continue to rise to 83,695 in 2022. Across six studies, 67% to 92% of patients prescribed opioids reported unused pills. In 2017, patients were prescribed 3.3 billion excess pills, yet no more than 9% of patients properly disposed of their unused opioids. Despite attempts to reduce overprescribing, increase disposal, and decrease diversion, these issues still contribute to increasing misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths.

Addinex Technologies has developed a novel system to reduce the use of opioids through controlling, monitoring, and disposing of excess opioids. The unique "closed-loop" system starts with clinicians prescribing opioids with the Addinex system. Addinex's partner pharmacy then fills the patented dispenser and delivers it to the patient. The patient uses the Addinex app to access each individual dose code and to obtain education and feedback. Finally, the patient returns the dispenser with any excess pills in a DEA-approved mailer to Addinex's partner disposal company. In a study with Columbia University Medical Center using the Addinex system with 30 post-surgical cancer patients, results showed 70% fewer pills used than prescribed, 60% fewer refills for the same surgeries, and an 84% excess pill disposal rate.

Addinex is now partnering with Brown Emergency Medicine and Rhode Island Hospital ("Brown") to perform a feasibility study using Addinex\'s system. We will conduct a clinical trial involving 100 patients with extremity fractures treated by the emergency department. Half the patients (25 adults and 25 minors) will utilize the Addinex system, while the other half will have their opioids dispensed in a standard pill bottle as the control group. Addinex's system promotes the return of medication using a pre-paid disposal mailer once patients have completed their course of treatment. The clinical study\'s main goals involve evaluating the system\'s effectiveness with patients obtaining same day treatment. This evaluation will encompass an analysis of medication consumption, disposal rates, pain levels, the impact of monitoring policies, and ensuring that the established commercial protocols function seamlessly. Ultimately, the project aims to demonstrate that the Addinex system can successfully operate within the broader hospital environment (same day and scheduled procedures), controlling and monitoring opioid usage, promoting patient well-being, and lowering costs.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Ages six years and older
  • Ability to swallow pills
  • Isolated bone fracture
  • Planned to receive opioids in the post-treatment period
  • Not taking opioids daily prior to the procedure
  • English or Spanish-speaking
  • Able to give informed consent or a parent that can give informed consent
  • Ownership of and comfort using apps on a smartphone with compatible operating system
  • WIFI or cellular access
  • Patient not admitted to hospital
Exclusion Criteria
  • Recent opioid use (last 30 days or 2 or more prescriptions in the past 3 months
  • Impaired decisional capacity
  • In police custody
  • Ward of the state

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Control AdultStandard Pill BottlePatients in this arm will be adults who undergo standard at-home acute pain management with opioids after treatment for isolated bone fracture (n=25)
Control ChildStandard Pill BottlePatients in this arm will be children who undergo standard at-home acute pain management with opioids after treatment for isolated bone fracture (n=25)
Device AdultAddinexPatients in this arm will be adults who undergo at-home acute pain management using the Addinex system after treatment for isolated bone fracture (n=25)
Device ChildAddinexPatients in this arm will be children who undergo at-home acute pain management using the Addinex system after treatment for isolated bone fracture (n=25)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Median pill consumptionOne month post treatment

Patients are expected to consume at least 16% fewer pills/MMEs using the Addinex system as compared to the control group.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Median disposal of opioids12 months post treatment

Patients are expected to dispose of at least 50% of excess opioid pills using the Addinex system vs. 20% in the control group.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rhode Island Hospital/Lifespan

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath