By Bill Carey
EMS1
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The use of naloxone in reversing opioid overdoses is increasing, but not at the pace necessary to fully address the opioid crisis, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open.
The first-of-its-kind study, conducted by researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, College of Public Health, and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), evaluates the use of naloxone by bystanders, according to an NREMT press release.
“Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse opioid overdose effects when given immediately,” Dr. Ashish R. Panchal, clinical professor of emergency medicine at Ohio State and senior author of the study said. “Similar to CPR, stepping up to help before emergency crews arrive can be the difference between life and death.”
The researchers analyzed two years of data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System. From June 2020 to June 2022, EMS responded to over 96 million calls. Of those, 744,078 patients were treated with naloxone, but only 24,990 received the drug from a non-medical bystander before EMS arrived.
While this shows an increase in bystander-administered naloxone, the authors say it’s not enough.
“Our findings revealed that people receiving naloxone from laypersons increased by 43.5%, proving that public health efforts are working,” Chris Gage, a PhD student at Ohio State’s College of Public Health and co-author of the study said. “In a perfect world, this should be closer to a 100% highlighting a need to improve naloxone education, enhance access and investigate and remove obstacles to its use.”
Public health campaigns promoting naloxone use and improved access to the drug have increased over the past decade. In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved naloxone for over-the-counter use, and 46 states along with Washington, D.C. provide legal immunity to good Samaritans who assist in overdose situations.
The researchers plan to study the groups administering naloxone and explore how to better deliver the drug to those in need.
gage_2024_oi_241136_1727892285.0671 by Lexipol_Media_Group on Scribd
