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Wis. EMS gets Naloxone under pilot program

The drug, largely used to save heroine overdose victims, will be distributed to EMTs at 47 statewide agencies as part of a one-year trial

By Eric Lindquist
The Leader-Telegram

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — With heroin and other narcotic abuse ravaging communities across Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services is launching a pilot program to help local emergency medical services providers prevent overdose deaths.

Six regional agencies are among 47 statewide selected to participate in the one-year trial in which all emergency medical technicians are allowed to administer the narcotic antidote naloxone, widely known by the brand name Narcan.

Naloxone is a drug that is injected to counter the breathing difficulties, low blood pressure and other effects that commonly result from an overdose of heroin or prescription opiate pain relievers such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. Under current state policy, only advanced life support EMTs can administer naloxone with overdose patients.

“Early intervention is critical when someone has overdosed, so making naloxone available to these front-line providers is an important part of efforts to reduce deaths related to narcotic overdose,” Karen McKeown, the state health officer, said in a news release announcing the pilot this week.

State agencies have been sounding the alarm about a surge in the use of heroin and abuse of other opiates in recent years, with the rate of overdose-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits nearly quadrupling since 2002 and hitting a total 1,193 in 2011.

Pre-hospital naloxone deployments by authorized EMS agencies in Wisconsin rose 28 percent from 2,915 in 2010 to 3,730 in 2012, according to a 2013 report from the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. Despite those efforts, the report indicated opiate-related deaths in the state are on the rise and totaled about 460 in 2011.

‘We know it can save lives’

Participating in the program will allow River Falls Emergency Medical Services, which already has paramedics authorized to give naloxone, to put that power in the hands of more of its emergency responders.

“Our paramedics have already used naloxone, so we know the value of it,” said River Falls EMS director Jeff Rixmann. “We know it can save lives.”

Rixmann estimated the agency gives the drug 12 to 24 times a year, but noted the area it serves in St. Croix and Pierce counties still has endured several overdose deaths in recent years.

River Falls EMTs began training Wednesday to administer the drug.

“We want to make sure our EMTs are doing absolutely the best they can for the community,” he said.

Jody Stoker, EMS division chief for the Black River Falls Fire Department, a participant in the pilot program, said EMTs in the agency haven’t previously been authorized to use naloxone and thus have been dependent on delivering overdose victims to the hospital in time to receive the injections. The service typically responds to about a half-dozen opiate overdoses annually, he said.

“It’s kind of like buying insurance for us,” Stoker said. “If it’s something we need to use and we don’t have it, it’s a bad thing because it can save a life. It’s one more tool in our toolbox.”

Eau Claire EMS chief backs plan

Jon Schultz, EMS director for the Eau Claire Fire Department, said about 60 percent of the department’s emergency medical responders already are authorized to give naloxone because of their advanced certification, but he would welcome the change if the remaining 38 EMTs were granted that ability. Eau Claire paramedics administered the drug to 48 overdose patients in 2013.

A final report on the pilot’s outcomes will be released in early 2015. If the outcomes are favorable, a statewide rollout will be implemented.

Meanwhile, the state Legislature is considering an anti-heroin package that includes a bill that would allow anyone to possess or transfer naloxone, permit first responders and basic EMTs with proper training to administer the drug, and provide immunity from legal liability for anyone who gives it.

The Assembly’s criminal justice committee approved the package Thursday, although it still would have to be approved by the full Assembly and Senate and signed by the governor before becoming law.