Doctor of Nursing Practice, Addiction Medicine Specialist Community Health Resources Enfield, Connecticut
Presentation Summary: With the ongoing opioid epidemic and emergence of fentanyl, buprenorphine is becoming increasingly difficult to start, leaving providers to find alternative methods to initiate treatment. Emergency medical services are repeatedly utilized for opioid overdoses, offering a unique opportunity to engage patients and commence buprenorphine treatment. Implementing state protocols allowing paramedics to administer buprenorphine on-site post naloxone-revived opioid overdose, and collaborating with community partners for follow-up is a feasible method to provide rapid induction onto lifesaving medication treatment and reduce further overdose. This presentation will review the evidence for this innovative approach, and review the algorithm, including eligibility and exclusion criteria.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will:
Apply current evidence to initiate EMS-initiated buprenorphine protocols in his or her own location
Demonstrate an understanding of buprenorphine as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria to be considered for EMS-initiated buprenorphine
Develop techniques to engage with patients with opioid use disorder in a nonjudgmental, non-stigmatized manner
