Impact of Administering Buprenorphine to Overdose Survivors Using Emergency Medical Services

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Initiation of buprenorphine in emergency departments (EDs) after opioid overdose is increasing, but many patients seen by emergency medical services (EMS) in the field refuse transport to the ED or leave the ED prior to evaluation. This study evaluated a program in which EMS was able to provide buprenorphine to patients in the field after opioid overdose, along with a same or next-day appointment in a substance use disorder clinic. Patients evaluated by EMS units with buprenorphine were significantly more likely to engage in treatment within 30 days (OR 5.62) than those evaluated by non-buprenorphine units. In addition, those evaluated by EMS units with buprenorphine who received buprenorphine were significantly more likely to engage in treatment (OR 12.83) than those who did not. There were no significant differences in subsequent opioid overdoses between groups. 

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