A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health found that an artificial intelligence screening tool is as effective as healthcare providers in identifying hospitalized adults at risk for opioid use disorder (OUSD) and referring them to inpatient addiction specialists. This AI-based approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital readmissions, with patients screened by AI having 47% lower odds of being readmitted within 30 days after their initial discharge.
According to the study, this innovative approach saved nearly $109,000 in care costs per patient. The Department of Health and Human Services had previously renewed its public health emergency for the nation’s opioid crisis an additional 90 days, highlighting the ongoing need for effective solutions to address this critical issue.
Source: https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-04-04-study-finds-ai-screening-oud-led-fewer-hospital-readmissions