1D2 Free Naloxone Discharge Kits: An Innovative Approach to the Prevention of Opioid Related Overdose Deaths

Abstract

According to the CDC, opioids killed more than 49,000 people across the U.S. in 2017 (that's 5 times more deaths than in 1999). Our country saw an increase of greater than 15% opioid related deaths from 2016 to 2017. Furthermore, opioid-related overdoses claimed the lives of 2,199 Illinoisans in 2017, nearly 2 times the number of homicides in Chicago, and over 2 times the number of car accidents. This is a public health crisis that crosses all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries. Statistics have shown that for every 1 fatal overdose there are 30 non-fatal overdoses and that one is at greater risk of a fatal overdose immediately after a non-fatal overdose. Since 2010, Advocate has served more than 30,000 patients in need of opioid overdose and addiction treatment and that number is projected to increase by 15%. The Emergency Department at Advocate Christ Medical Center and Advocate Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn are taking a major step to help prevent deaths by opioid overdose by providing free naloxone discharge kits. Our program is in partnership with the Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) who is donating the naloxone discharge kits as well as providing educational materials on how to inject the reversal agent. Before receiving a kit, patients and family members will be educated via a short video that outlines preventing, identifying, and responding to an overdose; rescue breathing; and the importance of still calling emergency services. This program is not designed to serve as a substitute for rehabilitation for patients, but rather allow a person experiencing an opioid overdose to live another day and hopefully seek the help they need. The chances of an addict or first-time user proactively filling a prescription for naloxone, should another overdose even occur, are relatively small. Any registered ED patient may request the kit.