How EMS Can Reduce Opioid Overdoses

The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic, affecting families and communities across the nation every day. EMS is often the first to arrive on the scene of an overdose, which gives providers an important responsibility in providing timely, appropriate care – but also presents EMS with opportunities to provide valuable information to public health and other partners and to play a role in preventing overdoses before they occur. Learn about national efforts to address the opioid overdose crisis, and how New Hampshire is piloting an EMS referral program for substance abuse patients and using EMS data to identify overdose hot spots. You’ll also hear how New Orleans EMS is partnering with public health agencies to track overdoses and educate the public on naloxone and much more.

Presenters:

Nick Mercuri, MHA, NRP, RN, Bureau Chief of EMS for the State of New Hampshire
Jeffrey Elder, MD, Director and Medical Director of New Orleans EMS
Joseph Kanter, MD, Medical Director for the New Orleans Health Department Federal Partners
Noah Smith, MPH, EMT, NHTSA’s Office of EMS
Jeremy Kinsman, MPH, EMT, NHTSA's Office of EMS