Psychostimulant-related health service demand in an inner-city hospital, 2012–2015

Abstract

Objective: To analyse routinely collected data from a hospital database of drug health consultation-liaison (CL) assessments. We aimed to investigate changes in psychostimulant-related health service demand in an inner-city hospital to inform the development of locally appropriate models of care. Methods: We used de-identified drug health CL service data from 2012 to 2015. Psychostimulant-related consultations and admissions were compared with opioid-related consultations and admissions over time, by sex and by ward type (medical units, mental health units or emergency department). Results: The CL service collected information on 8800 consultations and 4405 hospital admissions from 2012 to 2015. Psychostimulant use was responsible for 684 (7.8%) consultations and 372 (8.4%) admissions. Opioids were related to 1914 (21.8%) consultations and 864 (19.6%) admissions. Psychostimulants were the subject of three times more consultations in 2015 than in 2012, and more than twice as many admissions. Time trend analysis showed a significant time effect for consultations and admissions relating to psychostimulants. Conversely, no significant changes were observed in consultations and admissions relating to opioids. Conclusion: This study identified a rapid rise in the demand for psychostimulant-related inpatient assessments, suggesting the use of these drugs has increased locally. Because of the impact on the public health system, there is a need to invest in and implement new treatment strategies and services for psychostimulant users.