Episode #153: New Innovations In Prehospital Management of the Opioid Epidemic (Presented by Cooper University Health Care EMS)

Summary:   The opioid epidemic continues to be a considerable health crisis in the United States. Current evidence supports Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) as the most effective treatment. Our friends at Cooper EMS in New Jersey created a new treatment paradigm, in partnership with Cooper University Health Care’s Addiction Medicine Department, utilizing front line paramedic units to administer buprenorphine post Naloxone administration and provide a next day appointment in an outpatient clinic. Often, EMS is the only healthcare provider the OUD population will interact and this program affords access to OUD treatment as well as protection from overdosing prior to the scheduled appointment, i.e., “Bridging.” Cooper is the first EMS agency in the United States to provide MOUD in the prehospital setting at the point of overdose. In addition, Cooper EMS has documented an overall improvement in provider compassion fatigue. Cooper EMS staff are more engaged in the overall care of this population as opposed to simply administering Naloxone day after day.  Join us as the clinical team from Cooper EMS explains this study, the results, and the overall success of this innovative program.  Presenters:  Gary Harvat, Chuck Humphrey and the EMS Leadership Team from Cooper University Health Care EMS