title: An Algorithm for Opioid and Barbiturate Reduction in the Acute Management of Headache in the Emergency Department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and implement an algorithm for the management of headaches presenting to the emergency department (ED) in order to decrease the frequency of opioid and barbiturate treatment both acutely as well as on discharge.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Headache is the fifth leading cause of ED visits in the United States. In the case of primary headache, particularly migraine, treatment in the ED can be highly variable. Patients with migraine continue to be treated with opioids more commonly than nonopioid, migraine specific medications. In addition, discharge plans seldom include measures to prevent recurrence or instructions to re-treat if pain persists. At this time, there is no standardized management protocol directed at acute headaches presenting to the ED.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ED headache treatment algorithm with step-wise instructions for diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning was piloted at Lakewood Hospital, a regional Cleveland Clinic affiliated hospital. This non-randomized interventional study compared outcomes after implementation of the algorithm to historical controls. Patient demographic data including age, gender, and payer mix was collected. Outcomes measured included the frequency of treatment with opioids or barbiturates, imaging, neurology consults, admissions, and a patient reported pain score. Data relevant to patient disposition and follow-up, including prescriptions for opioids or barbiturates given at discharge, and ensuring PCP or neurology follow-up appointments at discharge was also reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data did not differ significantly between the pre- and post-algorithm groups. There was a significant decline in the number of patients treated with opioids and barbiturates from 66.0% pre-algorithm to 6.8% immediately after algorithm implementation (P <. 001), and to 28% (P < .001) one year after algorithm implementation, indicating both an immediate effect of the algorithm and a sustained effect. Similarly, pre-algorithm implementation, 37% of patients were discharged with a prescription for opioids or barbiturates as compared to 12% and 6% in the early post-algorithm cohort and at 1 year, respectively. There was also an increase in scheduled follow-up appointments after discharge from the ED from 59% to 98% immediately post algorithm (P < .001). Other measures including the frequency of imaging, and patient reported pain did not significantly change. There was a significant increase in neurology consults and admissions a year after the algorithm was implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A quality improvement pilot study aimed at treating headache in an Emergency Department setting was successfully implemented in a regional Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Our results demonstrated significant decrease in acute treatment with opioids or barbiturates and a decrease in prescriptions written for opioids or barbiturates on discharge. This study is limited by small sample size. More data are needed to determine the reason for 1) increased consultation and subsequent admission after algorithm implementation and 2) decreased scheduled follow-up appointments at one-year post algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Division of Headache, Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Zubair A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nacopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Seby
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood, OH, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuro-Restoration, Center for Headache and Pain, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bamford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019468:Disease Management; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D001463:Barbiturates; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents
keywords: headache; migraine; opioid; quality improvement