Substance Use Disorders
This section provides EMS professionals with resources and training focused on identifying, managing and responding to patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Articles cover recognition of drug and alcohol use in the field, treatment best practices, harm reduction strategies, and the evolving role of EMS in the opioid crisis. Learn how to address provider safety, compassion fatigue and stigma, while improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and community partnerships.
Cover how to identify drug abuse vs. an opioid overdose, as well as drug administration routes and potential complications
A lack of accurate data tracking led LogRX CEO and Founder Clive Savacool to redefine what pharmacology accountability looks like for street-level medics
Consider adding these often-encountered patients to your EMT or paramedic class’s patient assessment drills or high-fidelity patient simulations
Heroin cut with a synthetic cannabinoid has been connected to several recent overdoses in the city
The proposal for the treatment center is under consideration at Tuesday’s city commission meeting after previous proposals were denied twice
Through the program, children are taught about the dangers of opioids and given free doses of the antidote to take home
The man pleaded guilty to felony assault of a public servant and possession of a controlled substance
The program includes both short-term and long-term measures to improve the survival of those dealing with substance abuse issues
The arbitrator said the firefighter gave varying accounts of the incident and failed to contain her emotions during the call
The student performed CPR before police arrived to administer Narcan
In this episode, our co-hosts welcome Community Paramedic Lt. J.D. Postage, who works with Project FORT, the Violet Township Fire Department’s substance abuse program
Police said the paramedic administered fentanyl and midazolam through an IV to one of the women before sexually assaulting her
AMR Paramedics Paul Besaw and Lahiri Garcia were killed in the rollover ambulance crash in 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering 25 grants worth up to $800,000 to rural EMS agencies
A woman who took pills with alcohol died hours after paramedics and sheriff’s deputies left her home
Authorities say the narcotics were ordered and paid for through the agency by the ex-director but never used for EMS purposes
The new policy outlines circumstances that require drug and alcohol testing for volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders
Personnel from the LAFD’s Station 9 in Skid Row gave an inside look at their experience aiding thousands of homeless residents
Officials say there will be mandatory overtime and ramping up of recruit training after 10 employees left following an incident involving alcoholic egg nog
Court documents say John Kapoor personally approved bribes for doctors who abusively prescribed opioids
Grant funding sources have directed focus on the social, economic and health-related issues in rural areas, including the opioid epidemic
Leveraging the latest innovations in technology, the Rhode Island State Police tackles the opioid epidemic with stride
Officials say Roderick Weston went on a rampage and targeted vehicles, including an ambulance, to hit with his pickup truck
The Leave It Behind program aims to reduce overdose deaths by giving patients access to naloxone at home
From dangerous active shooter events, to ET3, Ebola, opioids and community paramedicine, EMS providers faced many significant incidents and evolving trends in the 2010s
Fire and EMS personnel collected gift cards and Christmas presents for the family, and are helping them move into a new house
The partnership, which includes the city fire department, will use $1.3 million in grants to address substance abuse and addiction
The paramedic reportedly admitted to stealing six oxycodone pills while at work
The dedicated wing would include space to treat up to 50 first responders and include specialized care
Police say the man regained consciousness after being giving naloxone and immediately began striking first responders
Colin Andrew Davis was sentenced to six months in prison for tampering with fentanyl and ketamine vials
Police say Raymond Kibby stole the ambulance from outside the hospital where he was receiving treatment for heroin withdrawal
The device is implanted under the skin and automatically releases naloxone when it detects a drop in blood-oxygen level
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