CHOP Boosts Naloxone Co-Prescribing for Opioid Patients to Over 80% in One Year
Event summary
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) increased naloxone co-prescribing with outpatient opioid prescriptions from <3% to 84.1% within one year through a multidisciplinary initiative.
- The initiative involved EHR-based automated alerts, provider education, and patient/family education across three implementation phases from October 2023 to June 2025.
- Nearly 60% of naloxone prescriptions were filled through CHOP pharmacies, despite perceived stigma and medication costs remaining barriers.
- CHOP expanded access to a Pennsylvania state discount program for naloxone, previously available only to adult patients.
The big picture
CHOP's initiative aligns with broader efforts to combat the opioid crisis, particularly in pediatric populations where guidance has historically lagged. The hospital's success demonstrates how targeted quality improvement programs can drive significant adoption of evidence-based safety practices. This case study may serve as a model for other institutions looking to enhance opioid prescribing protocols and reduce preventable harm among children and adolescents.
What we're watching
- Scalability Potential
- Whether CHOP's framework for naloxone co-prescribing can be successfully replicated across other pediatric health systems.
- Affordability Challenges
- The pace at which medication costs and stigma barriers to naloxone dispensing can be addressed through policy and outreach efforts.
- Regulatory Influence
- How CHOP's success may impact future guidelines or legislation for pediatric naloxone co-prescribing.