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.