Opioid overdose remains one of the most urgent public health crises in the United States, and for many individuals, the first and sometimes only encounter with health care comes through emergency medical services (EMS). As a result, the role of EMS has evolved far beyond reversing overdoses in the moment. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable medical disease with effective treatment, and EMS agencies are uniquely positioned to partner with local community resources and hospitals to combine efforts in implementing harm-reduction and treatment strategies. This document provides specific guidance for EMS agencies seeking to build or expand comprehensive programs addressing OUD through a variety of evidence-based approaches.The National Association of EMS Physicians recommends:State and local EMS oversight entities should ensure that EMS clinician scope of practice allows for administration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), specifically buprenorphine.EMS Systems should establish low-barrier program and protocols for prehospital administration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), specifically buprenorphine, and integrate the program with available community resources.EMS Medical Directors should collaborate with other system leaders to implement validated protocols for the treatment and safe disposition of patients including navigation of patients to alternate destinations or treatment in place.EMS Systems should collaborate with other system leaders on harm reduction strategies, including opioid education and naloxone distribution.EMS Systems should consider community engagement and input into the design, implementation, and quality improvement efforts for programs to address opioid use disorder, andEMS clinicians should receive comprehensive and adaptive education programs that address the pharmacological and biopsychosocial aspects of OUD and reducing stigma.
Glenn et al. (Mon,) studied this question.