Opioid analgesics are primarily used to treat chronic and acute pain and, when used appropriately, can be an important part of treatment (1). Pain is a major symptom of patients visiting the emergency department (ED), with up to 42% of ED visits being related to pain (2). Opioids may either be administered in the ED as part of treatment, provided post-treatment in the form of a prescription, or both (3). This report compares rates and percentages of ED visits by adults at which opioids were only given in the ED, only prescribed at discharge, or both, by selected characteristics.
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