Alexandra Nielsen

Modeling the Impact of Simulated Educational Interventions on the Use and Abuse of Pharmaceutical Opioids in the United States A Report on Initial Efforts

Three educational interventions were simulated in a system dynamics model of the medical use, trafficking, and nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids. The study relied on secondary data obtained in the literature for the period of 1995 to 2008 as well as expert panel recommendations regarding model parameters and structure. The behavior of the resulting systems-level model was tested for fit against reference behavior data. After the base model was tested, logic to represent three educational interventions was added and the impact of each intervention on simulated overdose deaths was evaluated over a 7-year evaluation period, 2008 to 2015. Principal findings were that a prescriber education intervention not only reduced total overdose deaths in the model but also reduced the total number of persons who receive opioid analgesic therapy, medical user education not only reduced overdose deaths among medical users but also resulted in increased deaths from nonmedical use, and a “popularity” intervention sharply reduced overdose deaths among nonmedical users while having no effect on medical use. System dynamics modeling shows promise for evaluating potential interventions to ameliorate the adverse outcomes associated with the complex system surrounding the use of opioid analgesics to treat pain.

Dynamic model of nonmedical opioid use trajectories and potential policy interventions

Abstract Background: Nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics (POA) increased dramatically over the past two decades and remains a major health problem in the United States, contributing to over 16 000 accidental poisoning deaths in 2010. Objectives: To create a systems-oriented theory/model to explain the historical behaviors of interest, including the various populations of nonmedical opioid users and accidental overdose mortality within those populations. To use the model to explore policy interventions including tamper-resistant drug formulations and strategies for reducing diversion of opioid medicines. Methods: A system dynamics model was constructed to represent the population of people who initiate nonmedical POA usage. The model incorporates use trajectories including development of use disorders, transitions from reliance on informal sharing to paying for drugs, transition from oral administration to tampering to facilitate non-oral routes of administration, and transition to heroin use by some users, as well as movement into and out of the population through quitting and mortality. Empirical support was drawn from national surveys (NSDUH, TEDS, MTF, and ARCOS) and published studies. Results: The model was able to replicate the patterns seen in the historical data for each user population, and the associated overdose deaths. Policy analysis showed that both tamper-resistant formulations and interventions to reduce informal sharing could significantly reduce nonmedical user populations and overdose deaths in the long term, but the modeled effect sizes require additional empirical support. Conclusion: Creating a theory/model that can explain system behaviors at a systems level scale is feasible and facilitates thorough evaluation of policy interventions.

Key Data Gaps Regarding the Public Health Issues Associated with Opioid Analgesics.

Most pharmaceutical opioids are used to treat pain, and they have been demonstrated to be effective medications for many. Their abuse and misuse pose significant public health concerns in the USA. Research has provided much insight into the prevalence, scope, and drivers of opioid abuse, but a holistic understanding is limited by a lack of available data regarding key aspects of this public health problem. Twelve data gaps were revealed during the creation of a systems-level computer model of medical use, diversion, nonmedical use, and the adverse outcomes associated with opioid analgesics in the USA. Data specific to these gaps would enhance the validity and real-world applications of systems-level models of this public health problem and would increase understanding of the complex system in which use and abuse occur. This paper provides an overview of these gaps, argues for the importance of closing them, and provides specific recommendations for future data collection efforts.

Restrictive Versus Liberal Red Blood Cell Transfusion Strategy After Hip Surgery: A Decision Model Analysis of Healthcare Costs

Red blood cell transfusion related to select surgical procedures accounts for approximately 2.8 million transfusions in the United States yearly and occurs commonly after hip fracture surgeries. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated lack of clinical benefit with higher versus lower transfusion thresholds in postoperative hip fracture repair patients with cardiac disease or risk factors for cardiac disease. The economic implications of a higher versus lower hemoglobin (Hb) threshold have not yet been investigated.

Dynamic Simulation of the Effect of Tamper Resistance on Opioid Misuse Outcomes

The objective of the study was to develop a system dynamics model of the medical use of pharmaceutical opioids, and the associated diversion and nonmedical use of these drugs. The model was used to test the impact of the a tamper resistance intervention in this complex system. The study relied on secondary data obtained from the literature and from other public sources for the period 1995 to 2008. In addition, an expert panel provided recommendations regarding model parameters and model structure. The behavior of the resulting systems-level model compared favorably with reference behavior data. After the base model was tested, logic to simulate the replacement of all opioids with tamper resistant formulations was added and the impact on overdose deaths was evaluated over a seven-year period, 2008-2015. Principal findings were that the introduction of tamper resistant formulations unexpectedly increased total overdose deaths. This was due to increased prescribing which counteracted the drop in the death rate. We conclude that it is important to choose metrics carefully, and that the system dynamics modelling approach can help to evaluate interventions intended to ameliorate the adverse outcomes in the complex system associated with treating pain with opioids.

Assessing Productive Efficiency and Operating Scale of Community Blood Centers

In recent years demand for blood products has decreased, and as a result, the blood product marketplace has become much more competitive. Reducing inefficiency in the procurement and processing of blood products at blood centers can reduce costs while assuring that demand for blood products is met.

A Public Health Model for Simulating Policy Interventions to Reduce Nonmedical Opioid Use

Reports on the development of a system dynamics simulation model of initiation and nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the US. The study relies on historical trend data as well as expert panel recommendations that inform model parameters and structure. The model was used to assess simulated public health interventions for reducing initiation and nonmedical use of opioids. Results indicate that interventions which reduce the likelihood of informal sharing of leftover medicine could significantly reduce initiation and nonmedical use. Less effective are supply restrictions, such as drug take-back days, and interventions aimed at reducing the likelihood that nonusers would decide to initiate nonmedical use based on their interactions with nonmedical users. We conclude that system dynamics is an effective approach for evaluating potential interventions to this complex system where the use of pharmaceutical opioids to treat pain can lead to unintended distal outcomes in the public sphere.