The adoption of a crucial medication for reversing opioid overdoses is increasing, but the pace is still insufficient. This is highlighted by new findings published in JAMA Network Open from researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, the College of Public Health, and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
This study is the first of its kind to examine the national application of naloxone—an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses—when administered by individuals without formal medical training.
“Naloxone is a critical drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered promptly,” explained Ashish R. Panchal, MD, PhD, a clinical professor of emergency medicine and the senior author of the study. “Similar to performing CPR, taking action before professional help arrives can determine whether someone lives or dies.”
The research team analyzed two years of data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System, which compiles patient care records from emergency medical services (EMS) nationwide. Between June 2020 and June 2022, there were over 96 million EMS callouts from nearly 14,000 agencies across all 54 states and territories. Out of the total, 744,078 patients were treated with naloxone, with 24,990 receiving it from untrained bystanders before EMS personnel arrived.
“Our results show a 43.5% rise in naloxone administration by laypersons, indicating that public health initiatives are effective,” stated Chris Gage, a PhD student at the College of Public Health and the study’s lead author.
Over the last decade, various public awareness initiatives and enhanced access to naloxone for non-medical individuals have been implemented. Last year, the FDA approved naloxone for purchase without a prescription. Furthermore, 46 states and the District of Columbia grant legal protection to Good Samaritans who assist individuals in the event of an opioid overdose.
“However, our study underscores that much work remains, as only 3.4% of EMS activations involving naloxone were administered by non-professional bystanders,” Gage noted. “Ideally, this figure should be near 100%, which indicates a pressing need for improved naloxone education, greater access, as well as the removal of barriers to its use.”
Future studies will concentrate on identifying the types of individuals who administer naloxone and understanding how it reaches those who are in need.
Other contributors from Ohio State include Jonathan Power; Alexander Ulintz, MD; Michael Lyons, MD; and Henry Wang, MD.
