Improving Availability of Intranasal Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose
Hartford Hospital
Summary
While there is a lifesaving medication called naloxone that can reverse the deadly effects of opioid overdose, patients often fail to fill the prescription at the pharmacy when it is prescribed. This is particularly concerning and true in those at the highest risk of death-those who end up in the emergency department for opioid overdose. The goal of this study is to compare the impact of different overdose education on naloxone prescription fill rates in opioid users being discharged from our hospital emergency department. You will receive either (a) written education about naloxone through their MyChart account, or (b) a concise one-page handout and 4-minute video clip reviewed with the participant and a support individual (family/friend) prior to discharge.
Description
The rates of opioid overdose and overdose deaths in Connecticut have increased dramatically in the past decade. While there is a lifesaving medication called naloxone that can reverse the deadly effects of opioid overdose, patients often fail to fill the prescription at the pharmacy when it is prescribed. This is particularly concerning and true in those at the highest risk of death-those who end up in the emergency department for opioid overdose. Indeed, a recent national study by the University of Michigan found that from 2001 to 2016 less than 1% of patients filled their prescription for na…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: -Patients will be in the process of being discharged from Hartford Hospital ED with a naloxone kit prescription following opiate or opioid intoxication/poisoning, use of illicit opioids or prescription opioids, or opioid injection use-related conditions Exclusion Criteria: * Patient has previously received the standard naloxone kit education or has a known allergy to naloxone and/or kit constituents * Patient or support network does not speak English * Patient is in police custody * Patient is not being discharged home from the ED.
Interventions
- BehavioralEnhanced Overdose Education (EOE)
EOE was adapted by Co-I Dr. Monique Miley at HHC's premier addiction hospital-The Rushford Center. It follows the guidelines set by Co-PI Jonathan Craig Allen when working with opioid patients reluctant to obtain naloxone: * Express confidence in naloxone * Provide a clear statement about suitability (You are an excellent candidate for naloxone) * Begin discussion using presumptive language (You must be ready for an overdose)
- BehavioralStandard education
Written instructions that accompany a kit prescription in many EDs throughout the country.
Locations (2)
- Hartford Hospital Emergency DepartmentHartford, Connecticut
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research CenterHartford, Connecticut