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.
By leveraging naloxone and buprenorphine, along with behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment attacks opioid addiction from all sides
Download this free eBook to learn what steps your agency can take to fight the opioid abuse epidemic
EMS providers must have a thorough understanding of pain assessment tools and options for acute pain management, especially with the recent focus on opioid abuse
In one crash, officers found two people passed out in the front seat of the wrecked vehicle and two children uninjured in the back seat
Most chronic illnesses, including opioid dependence, are managed through treatment and not cured
The legislation includes a proposal that would allow patients to refuse opioids through a directive that’s included in their medical files
A flight physician and former EMT share their personal stories of addiction, treatment and recovery at Wisconsin EMS conference
Opioid administration routes, production methods and commonly used opioids were described to professionals at Wisconsin EMS conference
Alternative pain management therapies are included that clinicians can utilize in place of opioids
Health Commissioner Marissa Levine declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in November
Gov. Bill Walker discussed five steps aimed at reducing the impact of the problem during his State of the State speech
The bill would require pharmacists to report daily, rather than weekly, about the prescriptions for controlled substances they’ve dispensed
Officials alerted staff members last week to start wearing masks and gloves when dealing with suspected overdoses
Although one area experienced a 32 percent decrease in overdose calls, responders have still seen an overall increase over the last five years
Laboratory tests on blood and urine samples showed heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil
Public records and interviews show commanders didn’t know about Ryan Mueller’s history of drug abuse when he was hired
As part of a $35,000 grant, officers will be equipped with the drug after undergoing a training program
Education and acceptance of addiction as a disease is needed for EMS to bridge the empathy gap and join the effort to solve the opioid overdose epidemic
Lawmakers are considering whether to create a special panel to handle legislation on the opioid crisis
Since 2011, an average of 1,074 Kentucky residents have fatally overdosed on drugs
Branden Goins, 22, began fighting with paramedics after waking up in the ambulance after allegedly overdosing
Over 18,000 naloxone kits have been handed out across British Columbia, many rendered useless when needles are used for illicit drug use
Officials said from December 2015 to December 2016, Narcan administration skyrocketed from 908 to 2,206 doses
The new rules are part of a broader effort by the state to address heroin and opioid addiction
The panel of state senators, medical providers and public health officials began meeting in September to learn more about abuse and addiction’s effects
Paramedic Clive Derbyshire said his past addictions allow him to empathize and relate to overdose victims
Officials said 33 others have been hospitalized for drinking a bath lotion that contained methanol
As part of the program, officers personally reach out to treatment centers on behalf of addicts and arrange their transportation to the facilities
The records show drug wholesalers shipped ever-higher doses of the pills, even as the overdose death toll climbed
Last year, more than 52,000 people died from drug overdoses, with almost two-thirds involving prescription or illegal opioids
Police, firefighters and medical responders discusses the continued use of naloxone on overdose patients
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