Opioid-Related Hospital Stays Soar Throughout The U.S., Affecting Costs Inconsistently Among States

Between 2005 and 2014, opioid-related hospital stays increased by 64% across the country. However, rate trends varied widely among different states. In North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington, rates increased by more than 70%, while Kansas, Louisiana, and Maryland showed rate declines. The data was obtained by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in their Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

The rise in opioid-related overdoses has been declared an epidemic by the Department of Health and Human Services. The department has initiated a number of strategies to assist Americans struggling with opioid addiction including treatment grants . . .