Seattle EMTs Can Administer Buprenorphine
Oct 30, 2024
Seattle has become the first U.S. city where EMTs and firefighters can administer buprenorphine in the field. Buprenorphine protects against overdose by blocking withdrawal symptoms for a day, which gives patients time to seek care and longer term treatment. It is used after a person is saved from overdose with Naloxone (Narcan). They will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms without treatment. The majority of patients reached in a pilot project coordinated with the Seattle Fire Department to attend appointments for further care. The goal is to get more people with Opioid Use Disorder into treatment.
Seattle has become the first U.S. city where EMTs and firefighters can administer buprenorphine in the field. Buprenorphine protects against overdose by blocking withdrawal symptoms for a day, which gives patients time to seek care and longer term treatment. It is used after a person is saved from overdose with Naloxone (Narcan). They will start experiencing withdrawal symptoms without treatment. The majority of patients reached in a pilot project coordinated with the Seattle Fire Department to attend appointments for further care. The goal is to get more people with Opioid Use Disorder into treatment.