EMS Overdose Response and Prevention Support

The Department of Health (DOH) is committed to supporting innovative solutions to address the ongoing opioid crisis in our state and improve emergency response capabilities in responding to substance use emergencies. As a primary emergency response system, EMS plays a critical role in a statewide effort to combat the crisis. EMS providers are often the first point of contact for patients suffering from opioid overdose emergencies and substance use disorder. This page provides key initiatives, information on current efforts, and resources to support Washington State EMS overdose response and prevention. 

Key Initiatives:

  • Outreach and support to EMS for free naloxone access. 
  • Outreach and support to EMS on the paramedic administration of buprenorphine.
  • Development and adoption of education, best practices, and other tools that support and enhance EMS overdose response and prevention activities. 
  • EMS data collection and surveillance on statewide overdose response.
  • Grant funding to support EMS in their opioid overdose response and prevention efforts.

Naloxone for EMS

The Washington State Department of Health’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program provides access to naloxone for people who are likely to experience or respond to an opioid overdose. First responders (police, fire, and EMS) statewide are eligible to receive free naloxone for opioid overdose response and naloxone leave-behind programs. To apply, complete the OEND Naloxone Program Application.
Email naloxoneprogram@doh.wa.gov with any questions.

EMS Naloxone Leave Behind Programs 

The DOH Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program supports access to naloxone for people who are likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose. The program provides free naloxone for distribution to clients and community members, overdose recognition and response training for community organizations, and technical assistance to organizations that are interested in distributing naloxone. 

What is it? 

Naloxone leave-behind is a collaboration between public health and public safety that allows EMS clinicians to leave naloxone on-scene with patients and their support system when they have responded to an overdose call. 

Research shows overdose survivors face a significantly increased risk of fatally overdosing in the future. EMS personnel can help reduce the risk of fatal overdose by giving naloxone kits directly to at-risk patients and their families, friends, and housemates. 

Why do a Naloxone Leave-Behind program?  

First responders are uniquely positioned to interrupt the cycle of nonfatal-to-fatal opioid overdose by increasing the distribution of overdose prevention resources to patients in real time. 

Naloxone is provided at no cost to EMS services by the state of Washington. 

Naloxone Leave-Behind programs improve linkages to care in the community, which can reduce future overdoses and the strain on the EMS workforce. 

Naloxone leave-behind allows EMS professionals to give naloxone directly to the people who need it the most. By providing these kits, EMS can save lives beyond the patient care given in the moment of an overdose. While naloxone is not the sole answer to the overdose crisis, it can help patients live another day, improve community health, and prevent overburdening healthcare systems.

How do I start a Naloxone Leave-Behind Program?  

If you are interested in applying for the program offered through DOH, please complete the Naloxone Program Application

Tribes, tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations can request naloxone using the Tribal Naloxone Request Form

To request training for your organization, please visit Overdose Education and Response Training Form

Naloxone Guidance

 

Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone 

The Statewide Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone can be used as a prescription for naloxone. Individuals and organizations may take this standing order to a pharmacy to get naloxone instead of going to a health care provider to get a prescription. 

Visit the Standing Orders page for general information about standing orders. 

EMS Leave Behind Program Guidance (PDF)

Global Location Number Guidance for EMS (PDF) 

EMS and Naloxone (PDF) | EMS and Naloxone (Word)

Paramedic Buprenorphine Administration

The Washington State Department of Health (department) is committed to supporting innovative solutions to address the ongoing opioid crisis in our state. To continue to improve public access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the department, in consultation with Medical Program Directors and the Prehospital Technical Advisory Committee, adopted paramedic administration of buprenorphine into the Approved Skills and Procedures for Certified EMS Providers (PDF).  

Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder, proven to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, stabilize patients, and prevent further overdose. Administering buprenorphine in the field allows EMS professionals to act quickly, giving patients a critical opportunity to stabilize before they reach the hospital or a facility for long-term treatment. 

Paramedic administration of buprenorphine patient care protocols must be developed or adopted by the county medical program director.

Resources

Data
Education
Policies

Other Resources

Washington
Nationwide

For more information, contact the EMS Opioid Support Specialist.