The Importance of Naloxone in Opioid Emergencies
Opioid overdose emergencies are, unfortunately, an increasingly common occurrence and are a reason for every medical professional to have naloxone available for use in an emergency.
A Case in Springdale, South Carolina
I’ll talk today about a recent case of opioid emergency that occurred outside a medical office in Springdale, South Carolina. This was originally reported by WLTX. What started as a regular day at West Columbia Family Dentistry on Monday turned into something totally unexpected.
A gentleman ran in and asked for us to call 911 or use our phone, saying his girlfriend was passed out in the truck and he couldn’t wake her up.
Immediate Action by Medical Professionals
Lisa Barton ran outside to help and immediately realized the gravity of the situation. The victim’s face was blue, and she was suffering from an opioid overdose. After calling 911, Lisa, along with Ginny Fadeley and Saber Hayes, took control of the situation.
With the boyfriend’s help, they pulled the woman out of the truck and laid her on the ground. They began performing CPR—Lisa performed breaths while compressions were being administered. The three women also used an AED from a nearby doctor’s office until the victim’s vitals started getting stronger. When the ambulance arrived, EMTs administered Narcan.
Reflections on the Incident
This response came naturally. There was no other choice, and we didn’t even think about it until after she was safer. This story has a happy ending because the medical professionals were ready to respond.
Increasing Frequency of Opioid Overdose Emergencies
Emergencies like this are happening with increasing frequency, so much so that the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a rarely used advisory encouraging naloxone to be available in more places to help address the increasing number of lives lost.
The Role of Medical Professionals in Opioid Overdoses
Yes, 911 help can and will assist overdose victims, and the response time is swift, but it is not instant. As seen in this incident, the community looks to medical professionals to respond during an emergency. It is our obligation to do more than wait for 911 assistance to arrive—we must use life-saving medications and devices to treat opioid overdoses.
The Rising Need for Preparedness
Medical emergencies are rare, but opioid overdoses are on the rise. It only takes one occurrence to make a permanent impact on the lives of the patient, their friends and family, and the practitioner. Any doctor should be ready for an opioid emergency and prepared to reverse the effects, giving their patients the best chance of surviving an opioid overdose.
