SPOKANE, Wash. — EMS responders now have the resources to administer a different kind of drug while responding to opioid-related calls, thanks to a new pilot program initiated by the Washington Department of Health.
Typically, when responding to an overdose, first responders’ top priority is to revive the patient with Naloxone, also known as Narcan.
However, excessive doses of Narcan can cause several withdrawal symptoms including stronger cravings and higher risk of relapsing.
The pilot program allows patients the option to take this drug to reduce withdrawal symptoms and reduce the craving for more opioids.
Dr. Joel Edminster, Medical Director of Spokane Fire Department, said using Buprenorphine improves the chances of people struggling with addiction to participate in treatment.
“We want solutions. I don’t want to just reverse the overdose. I want to reverse the overdose, save the life, but also want to change the life,” said Dr. Edminster. “We need solutions other than just reviving people again so that they can go use fentanyl again.”
Buprenorphine targets the same receptors in the brain that are stimulated by opioids like fentanyl.
Dr. Edminster said although it’s just a trial program, it is an attempt to help curve the opioid crisis.
“I’m tired of doing that same thing over and over again and not seeing significant results. So, we can continue to just give people Narcan, wake them up and send them on their way, or, we can try to find an alternative solution. ‘Measure and improve’ is the mantra and emergency and EMS services measure and improve, measure and improve, and we will continue to do that,” he said.
As of now, the SFD Behavioral Health Response Unit can give doses of Buprenorphine, but only with patient consent and if they meet specific DOH criteria.
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