<p>Safe Opioid Storage and Disposal: A Survey of Patient Beliefs and Practices</p>

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate knowledge, practices, and beliefs of US patients receiving prescription opioids regarding opioid storage, disposal, and diversion. Design: Internet-based, cross-sectional survey conducted between September and October 2018. Fisher's exact tests and Kendall's Tau-c were used to assess associations with storage and disposal outcomes. Participants: Patients aged ≥18 years with acute (n=250) or chronic noncancer (n=250) pain were prescribed an oral opioid within 90 days of the survey. Results: Mean (SD) patient age was 48 (14.7) years, 57.2% were female, 82.6% lived with ≥1 person in the home, and 28.0% had remaining/unused pills. One-third of all patients received safe opioid storage (35.2%) and/or disposal (31.4%) counseling from a healthcare provider, while 50.0% received neither storage nor disposal information. Only 27.4% of all patients stored their opioids in a locked location, and 17.9% of those with remaining/unused pills disposed of their medication. Patients who received any opioid counseling were more likely to keep their medication in a locked location compared with those who did not (42.4% vs 12.4%, respectively; P<0.0001), as were those who perceived any risk of opioid diversion in the home compared with those who perceived no risk or were unsure (53.7% vs 24.2%, respectively; P<0.0001). Disposal rates did not differ based on counseling received (20.8% counseled vs 16.1% not counseled; P=0.5011) or perceived diversion risk (27.8% perceived any risk vs 16.4% perceived no risk or unsure; P=0.3166). Conclusion:The proportion of patients receiving prescription opioids who receive safe storage/disposal counseling from a healthcare provider appears suboptimal. Further research is warranted to develop effective ways to improve patient opioid storage/disposal education and practices.

Parental perception of medications safe storage in the State of Qatar

“…A study was conducted in the United States to evaluate the knowledge and practices among patients receiving opioids; results revealed that patients who received counseling about proper storage of medications kept their medicines in locked place, compared for those who didn't ( P < 0.00001)[ 27 ]…”

The Opioid-overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA): Evidence-based practices in the HEALing Communities Study

“…Communities have the option of selecting a strategy to promote safe disposal practices such as the installation of permanent disposal kiosks or the implementation of other disposal programs such as distribution of drug mail-back envelopes. Studies have shown that leftover medication from an opioid prescription is common ( Bicket et al, 2017 ; Kennedy-Hendricks et al, 2016 ) and that patient education regarding disposal practices can increase opioid disposal rates ( Hasak et al, 2018 ), although education about disposal is suboptimal ( Gregorian et al, 2020 ). According to a recent study, only 30% of persons who had received an opioid prescription in the previous two years disposed of their unused opioid medication; however, over 80% indicated they would be more likely to dispose of opioid medications in the future if disposal kiosks were in a location they visited frequently ( Buffington et al, 2019 ).…”

Medication Use and Storage, and Their Potential Risks in US Households

“…Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (APAP), histamine-1 receptor antagonists (H1RAs), and sedatives/hypnotics/antipsychotics (SHAs) have been identified as medications commonly involved in child poisoning in the NPDS reports [12][13][14]28,29]. Opioids have also been identified as harmful and high-risk medications for poisoning of minors [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. Regardless of the types of medications, the ease of access seems to play a significant role in pediatric exposure.…”

“…Storing in closed spaces like drawers and closets would also provide additional physical barriers and keep medications away from children more effectively. Nevertheless, for opioids which are extremely habit forming, two studies found that 26% and 36% of the participants stored them in open spaces at home, respectively, noting unsafe storage of the high-risk medication [37,38].…”