NIH-funded study shows real-world benefits of automated addiction screening in hospitals
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that a clinical trial found that an artificial intelligence (AI) screening tool is as effective as traditional provider-initiated care in identifying adults hospitalized with opioid use disorder and prompting specialist consultations. Developed by academic researchers, the AI tool analyzed electronic health records in real time to flag potential opioid use disorder cases and recommend addiction medicine referrals.
The study, one of the first real-world applications of AI in hospital addiction workflows, was conducted across over 51,000 hospitalizations and found that patients identified through AI screening had 47 percent lower odds of being readmitted within 30 days compared to those receiving standard care. This resulted in an estimated $109,000 in healthcare savings during the eight-month test period.
“Addiction care remains heavily underprioritized and can be easily overlooked, especially in overwhelmed hospital settings,” said Director Nora Volkow of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “AI has the potential to strengthen implementation of addiction treatment while optimizing hospital workflow and reducing healthcare costs.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Dr. Volkow as she fulfills her role in the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- For discernment for Secretary Kennedy and officials in the Department of Health and Human Services.
- For Director Jay Bhattacharya to be led by the Lord as he oversees the National Institutes of Health.
Sources: National Institutes of Health
