By EMS1 Staff
MANCHESTER, N .H. — AMR announced that crews in New Hampshire will now begin carrying a non-opioid painkiller in their ambulances.
WMUR reported that the ambulances will now be stocked with ketamine, which is said to be less addictive and just as effective as morphine.
“Having ketamine as an additional option for our medics allows them to expand their options for safe and effective pain control for our patients,” AMR Regional Director Chris Stawasz said. “In the midst of the opioid epidemic we are continually looking for ways to utilize less addictive clinically effective alternatives for pain management.”
Stawasz added that ketamine can be used for pain management and sedation and is a safe alternative to opioids that does not cause respiratory depression.