Clinical Study Shows Lab-Based Urine Drug Monitoring, Interventions Improve Outcomes for Injured Workers on Chronic Opioid Therapy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. and SAN DIEGO, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical interventions performed in conjunction with laboratory quantitative drug testing and monitoring were shown to reduce utilization of high risk medications in injured workers on chronic opioid therapy, according to a clinical study released by the merged entity of Progressive Medical and PMSI, in partnership with Millennium Laboratories. The study showed a decrease in all measures of utilization, driven primarily by opioids (a 32 percent decrease) and benzodiazepines (a 51 percent decrease), as well as a 26 percent reduction in total utilization of all medications, regardless of drug class.  

"There has been an increased national awareness of opioid use over the past several years due to the fraud, abuse, addiction, and cost associated with these medications," said Matthew Foster, PharmD, clinical pharmacy manager for Progressive Medical/PMSI. "Our study measured the impact of laboratory quantitative drug testing and monitoring on injured workers using high risk medications, such as opioids and benzodiazepines."

Dr. Foster and Brooke Mueller, PharmD from Progressive Medical/PMSI identified more than 100 injured workers in need of additional clinical oversight based on laboratory quantitative urine drug test results that were deemed inconsistent compared to the therapeutic regimen reported by the prescribing physician. Mueller and Foster used workers' compensation prescription history and clinical expertise to interpret the laboratory results, provided by Millennium Laboratories, and recommend appropriate interventions to the prescriber.

Prescriptions covered by the workers' compensation insurer were evaluated to determine change in utilization and other specific risk factors. Among the risk factors evaluated were morphine equivalency dosing (MED), number of prescribers, number of drug classes, and number of opioids.

In addition to the decrease in utilization of opioids, the study also showed a reduction in the average MED, from 123.3 mg to 83.3 mg, after six months. The total percentage of claimants in the study with a daily MED less than 120 mg increased from 65 percent to 77.7 percent.

"This study shows the value of medication monitoring and quantitative drug detection services in helping to identify injured workers potentially at risk for addiction and to enable early intervention," said Lemay Rodriguez, director of corporate accounts for managed care at Millennium Laboratories. "Millennium is pleased to work with Progressive Medical and PMSI as it demonstrates the value of pairing clinical expertise to gain additional insights that help in improving outcomes for injured workers and payers."

The study results were presented during the recent Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 26^th Annual Meeting and Expo in Tampa, Florida.

For further details on the study, the poster is available to view online at http://bit.ly/UDMPoster.

About Progressive Medical and PMSI
Progressive Medical and PMSI, both leaders in developing solutions to control the growth of medical costs in workers' compensation, liability, and no fault insurance, have merged to create one of the most dynamic workers' compensation specialty services companies in the industry. The combined company, which will emerge as one brand in 2014, delivers proven solutions across the claims lifecycle, from first fill to settlement and is accelerating change in the industry by delivering solutions that provide more control to achieve better outcomes—both clinically and financially. Learn more at www.FirstFilltoSettlement.com.

About Millennium Laboratories
Millennium Laboratories, a leader in the science of medication monitoring and pharmacogenetic testing, is transforming the way health care professionals monitor and manage their patients' medication therapy. Through the use of advanced technology, supported by research and education, Millennium helps practitioners personalize care for patients. More information can be found at www.millenniumlabs.com.

Contacts:

Jan Luongo, APR, CPRC
Progressive Medical/PMSI
813.318.6810
[email protected]

Stacy Wood
Marketing Works
614.540.5520
[email protected]

Nicole Beckstrand
Millennium Laboratories
858-217-1192
[email protected]

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SOURCE Millennium Laboratories LLC