Lessons Learned from the Implementation of the Wake County, North Carolina EMS Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Program

Our prehospital buprenorphine induction program successfully inducted eligible patients and connected them with follow up. Almost half of inducted patients were able to follow up with our outpatient provider. One in ten patients who received buprenorphine from EMS remained in treatment. There exists an opportunity for EMS to screen more patients for buprenorphine induction as only one in four patients who received naloxone were screened for buprenorphine induction. Lessons learned include the need for recurrent EMS clinician education regarding buprenorphine screening, the need for a "buprenorphine champion" to follow up with inducted patients and addressing early administrative and technological barriers to ensure data exchange.