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These unmanned aerial vehicles can rapidly deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs), naloxone, epinephrine, and other critical supplies to the scene of an emergency, often faster than traditional ambulances. Technological Advancements in Autonomous EMS One of the most significant developments in autonomous EMS is using drones.
Necrotizing fasciitis Case Question: Will naloxone reverse a xylazine overdose? Thus, Narcan is reasonable to administer in the setting of a suspected overdose since the patients presentation can be due to combined use. However, fentanyl is the most common drug combined with xylazine.
“We need a lot more naloxone than ever before. The research I have based on over 20,000 EMS run forms shows naloxone has remained effective over the years. Naloxone works against opioids if it is given in time. When someone gets 20 milligrams, I ask what form was the naloxone in and how long was there in between doses?
Acute toxic ingestions are a common reason for presentation to the emergency department (ED) and clinical scenarios range from benign accidental ingestions to large overdoses resulting in hemodynamic instability. For example, tricyclic antidepressant overdose can lead to sodium channel blockade, which can cause QRS widening.
In 2023, EMS clinicians responded to 236,000 calls for suspected opioid overdoses, representing nearly 2% of all EMS calls nationwide. The 2024 ESO EMS Index reveals that 82% of patients with suspected opioid overdoses received naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid effects. Gender disparities were also found.
One ambulance district’s Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Division has recently made a big impact in reducing opioid-related overdose deaths in their community by increasing harm-reduction products and therapies. 1 Lincoln County Ambulance District responded to 166 opioid overdose calls in 2022 and 107 opioid overdose calls in 2023.
The median time between emergency call and thoracotomy was 22 (17-29) minutes. The underlying cause of the TCA was cardiac tamponade in 105 patients (18%), exsanguination in 418 patients (70%), or a combination of both in 72 patients (12%). for all other causes). The duration of TCA was also associated with survival (16% for 10 minutes).
When combined with fentanyl, it can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, and hemodynamic compromise—and naloxone doesn’t reverse it. For EMTs and paramedics, this growing trend requires a shift in how we recognize and respond to overdose syndromes. What Is Medetomidine? Where Is It Showing Up?
15 min read Mobile Integrated Health and Community Paramedicine News News Feed Community Paramedic Headlines News Feed Oregon Medetomidine Overdose: Why More Naloxone Is Not the Answer—But Timely Respiratory Support Is A new nonopioid sedative, medetomidine, is rapidly becoming the next adulterant of concern in illicit drug supply.
Why are overdoses fatalities dropping? Today, I want to examine one possible factor — the increasing presence of xylazine in the drug supply, which I have written about before Xylazine Hysteria Xylazine Decreases Overdose Deaths? All have seen declining fatal overdose rates. Overdose deaths are down significantly.
Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post/TNS) Nick Coltrain – The Denver Post DENVER — Colorado will use $3 million from the state’s opioid settlement fund to provide the overdose-reversal drug naloxone to local organizations, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced Tuesday. 1 to April 28, compared to 168 in the same period in 2024.
It’s offering naloxone, an emergency medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, for free. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, reverses opioid overdoses by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking other opioids. 4, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP But it’s not selling candy or snacks or soda.
If they’re lethargic and hard to arouse, but still breathing effectively, it’s not an overdose. Boston paramedic This is a quote I included in a presentation I put together for the state of Connecticut back in 2014 when we designed a curriculum to teach BLS providers how to use naloxone. Fatal overdoses are easy to track.
In a statement Thursday evening, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office said the event remained under investigation and that officials had not yet confirmed what caused the overdoses. The Baltimore Police Department] continues to investigate the scene and surrounding neighborhoods, focusing on the source of the overdose event.
We respond for the “overdose.” They thought you were overdosed.” I leave a naloxone kit with them. Was this a drug overdose? Other than the fact that a badly mixed bag of fentanyl can kill you on the spot if no one gives you naloxone after you stop breathing.) His eyes are closed, his mouth is open.
This expansion should include patients in prison, many pf whom are in jail due to the substance use disorder and who are at high risk of overdose and death on their release, The US will continue to support harm reduction, including widespread naloxone availability, syringe exchange and the development of overdose prevention sites.
5,6 While its effects on cardiac conduction are less pronounced than TCAs, tianeptine still poses risks for arrhythmias, especially in cases of overdose or misuse. The friend noted that the patient had been continuously increasing his dose over the past few days. Questions: What is tianeptine?
The 119 million or 238 million lives saved in 100 days claim does not give us much confidence in those at the top leading the fight, particularly given reports of a potential administration budget proposal to cut funding for naloxone and other overdose prevention programs. One pill might contain 12 milligrams, another none at all.
I am proud to announce my latest book, The Friends and Family Guide to the Opioid Overdose Epidemic: Including How to Recognize and Treat an Overdose , will be published on August 26, 2025 by Johns Hopkins University Press. The opioid crisis in the United States continues to kill Americans at an alarming rate.
On physical exam, the patient is lethargic, has nasal flaring, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Lung sounds are clear. On cardiac exam, there is normal rate and rhythm without murmur, rubs, or gallops. His capillary refill is 2 seconds. His surgical incision looks clean and without any signs of infection.
A man overdosed with his two young children in the car. The unidentified woman in the front seat next to him also overdosed. First responders revived both man and woman with bag-valve masks and naloxone. The woman was found blue and pulseless. The car was filled with trash and the car seats were not properly installed.
Drug overdoses are a leading cause of accidental death in the United States, representing a persistent and escalating health crisis. 1 Even in nonfatal opioid overdose cases, there is a significant increase in both short- and long-term mortality. One study found a 5.5 percent occurred within just two days of discharge.
Increased Availability of Naloxone 2. This week here in Connecticut, we experienced a large spike in overdoses prompting an advisory from the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Overdose Response Strategy group. There have been many reasons speculated for the drop in fatal deaths: 1.
2 min read EMS Operations News News Feed Headlines Massachusetts CO Will Give $3 Million Grant to Boost Naloxone Supply as Data Shows Drop in Overdose Deaths Colorado will use $3 million from the state’s opioid settlement fund to provide the overdose-reversal drug naloxone to local organizations.
Naloxone and Patient Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests in California. Your partner asks if you want to administer naloxone as well. Today’s study looks at the role of naloxone in OHCA. Naloxone is a well-established medication used primarily for reversing opioid overdoses. JAMA Network Open.
Opioid overdose remains the leading cause of cardiac arrest due to poisoning in North America. Naloxone administration may reverse respiratory arrest, preventing progression to cardiac arrest. Editorial Comment: Naloxone first, flumazenil only for pure benzo’s (e.g., Top 10 Take Home Pearls 1. COR Harm, LOE B-R.
In the case of naloxone, unlike say milk, the product doesn’t spoil and it retains its potency for many years. Yes, naloxone works for years after its expiration date. Yes, naloxone works for years after its expiration date. Bottom line: If someone is overdosing and your expired naloxone is all you have, use it.
He awoke with naloxone. The 50-something patient with history of coronary stenting and slightly reduced LV ejection fraction. He had been smoking an opiate and suddenly collapsed. He was ventilated with BVM on arrival. This EKG was recorded as part of a standing order for critical care. He denied any CP or SOB. It does not radiate.
Here are some of the highlights: EMRs and EMTs may administer Naloxone IM in a dose of 0.4 Paramedics may administer buprenorphine to patient in precipitated withdrawal following naloxone resuscitation provided the patient meets required criteria and agrees to hospital transport.* mg via syringe.* micrograms/kg/min. .*
Krantz et al authored a State-of-the-Art Review on Cardiovascular Complications of Opioid Use ( JACC 77(2):205-223, 2021 ) — in which mechanisms from Opioid Overdose that detail arrhythmia production ( up to cardiac arrest ) are elucidated — thereby providing an explanation for the unusual arrhythmias in today's case.
Patients with opiate overdose get naloxone. This month, we are discussing the medical management of patients with mild to moderate agitation. Emergency departments (EDs) focus on rapid initiation of medical treatment. Patients with sepsis get antibiotics. Patients in DKA get insulin.
An accidental opioid overdose and its nemesis, naloxone. Every intervention that we introduce on emergency calls is intended to make a difference. Improve the situation in one way or another. Some will work and cause an effect that makes things better. Others will not, and may result in making things much worse.
Do heroin overdose patients require observation after receiving naloxone? He is also the host of EMToxCast and gave a talk at the Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine Annual Retreat […] The post SGEM#179: Chase the Dragon and Naloxone first appeared on The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine.
Recently, xylazine has gained attention in the media with increasing reports of xylazine-related overdose deaths in patients. When combined with illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, xylazine may increase the risk of fatal overdose given the augmented sedation and respiratory depression effects [2]. Published May 2023.
Hospital Observation Upon Reversal (HOUR) With Naloxone: A Prospective Clinical Prediction Rule Validation Study. Hospital Observation Upon Reversal (HOUR) With Naloxone: A Prospective Clinical Prediction Rule Validation Study. The EMS crew observes drug paraphernalia and suspect an intravenous (IV) opioid overdose.
Across the nation states are passing initiatives to allow EMS services to leave naloxone kits on scene with at risk patients, their family, friends or bystanders. Each kit contains two 4 mg Naloxone intranasal devices, and instruction card for use, a CPR face shield, and instructions on how to access services. I think 50% is not bad.
Case: A 24-year-old male presents to the emergency department (ED) after a fentanyl overdose. He is successfully resuscitated using naloxone and is stable after an observation period. You are interested in seizing this opportunity to offer some type of help to this patient to prevent another opioid overdose in his future.
Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that has been increasingly implicated in overdose deaths throughout the United States. percent of all overdose deaths in 2020. 1 Known by street names such as “tranq,” “tranq-dope,” or “zombie drug,” xylazine is increasingly found in patients with opioid overdose. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Background Information: Opioid overdose deaths have been increasing in the past twenty years. The national number of overdose deaths from any opioid has increased 62.5% In addition, buprenorphine has a lower risk of death from overdose when compared to methadone (2). Initial doses ranged between 0.2 PMID 33392580.
mg of Naloxone X 2, and now the ETCO2 drops to 45, the SAT soon comes up to 99 and the patient opens her eyes and lifts her head, surprised to find herself surrounded by EMS and Fire. I have called the time on a number of her neighbors in this building, some of them victims of overdose. of all overdoses to 11.1%. Pinpoint.
Is the decline in drug overdose deaths more related to the increased availability of naloxone, improved treatment for people who use drugs, or changes in the street drug supply, which while still quite toxic may be less so due to adulteration with other chemicals? A recent article in NPR, The pipeline of deadly fentanyl into the U.S.
Drug overdose deaths are down 3.1% 107,543 people died of drug overdoses in 2023 down from 111,029 in 2022. Here in Connecticut, drug overdose deaths have been decreasing for the last two years (down 14% in 2023 from the 2021 high). Harm reduction and the availability of naloxone. Why are deaths dropping?
Today’s episode of the podcast is a myth busting on all the media reports about first responders overdosing by being exposed to fentanyl in the field by incidental contact. 100 micrograms is not enough to cause an overdose in an adult. First responders face danger every day and they don’t know when or where it’s coming from.
overdose deaths plummet, saving thousands of lives, blared the headline from NPR yesterday. In May, I speculated on some of the reasons for declining rates : Harm reduction and the availability of naloxone. Ten years ago when I responded to an overdose, I was the only one carrying naloxone. We know what works!
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