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Standards Policy: Medical Policy Section <br /> Opiate Overdose <br /> Policy: Attachment E <br /> Patients who have experienced an isolated IV opiate overdose should be offered a variety of options <br /> to more appropriately manage their addiction. <br /> Purpose: <br /> The purpose of this policy is to: <br /> Ensure that the patient is offered various options for treatment of substance abuse. <br /> Provide harm reduction measures. <br /> Procedure: <br /> 1. All patients must be over 18 years of age and must not have been in cardiac arrest during the <br /> incident. <br /> 2. The patient must regain a normal mental status and respiratory effort after the administration of <br /> Naloxone. <br /> 3. Transport to the Emergency Department should be offered to all patients. <br /> 4. For patients who decline transport to the Emergency Department, alternative destinations should <br /> be offered when possible. These options could include assistance with inpatient treatment centers <br /> such as Freedom House, outpatient facilities, mobile crisis solutions, addiction specialists, other <br /> local treatment options. <br /> 5. In order to decline transport, the patient must meet the following criteria: <br /> a) Be 18 years or older <br /> b) Maintain a GCS of 15 <br /> c) Fully alert and oriented <br /> d) Be able to understand the risk of refusing transport, as described in Universal Protocol 1 <br /> (UP 1) <br /> 6. If the patient declines transport to the Emergency Department, an additional dose of 2mg Naloxone <br /> should be administered IM by EMS. A Naloxone kit should be left with the patient, family, and/ <br /> or friends on the scene. EMS will provide education on how to use these kits. <br /> 7. In addition to the medication, the following items should be utilized when possible: <br /> a) Offer to dispose of any dirty needles <br /> b) Provide clean needles/syringes when possible <br /> c) Refer to a community peer support team if available <br /> d) Leave literature on resources for substance abuse treatment <br /> e) Notification of policy utilization should be made to the EMS Operations <br /> Manager via email after any naloxone kits are distributed. <br />