Related: One ParamedicвЂ™s Perspective on Civilian Naloxone Distribution 8-10, 12 Despite efforts to expand naloxone distribution, many of those most at risk for experiencing or witnessing an opioid overdose still lack access to this life saving medication.

5-11 Furthermore, increased naloxone availability, combined with education, results in decreased mortality from opioid overdoses. 3, 4 Opioid education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs effectively increase public knowledge of, attitudes regarding, and access to naloxone. Surgeon General and the World Health Organization have issued public health advisories calling for expanded access to naloxone. In response to the opioid epidemic, the U.S. According to data from 2018, TN ranks 13 th in the nation for opioid-related deaths. 1 Tennessee (TN) experienced a 39.2% increase during the same time frame (1).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 100,255 Americans died of opioid-related deaths during the 12-month period ending in May of 2021, a 22.7% increase compared to the previous 12 months. This project provided a foundation for an educational initiative in the development of an EMS-directed naloxone leave behind program in the Chattanooga area. Possible limitations of this study include the relatively small geographic area and local EMS focus, which may lack generalizability. Our study reveals that knowledge deficit, negative or ambivalent attitude, and personal disempowerment present barriers to the development of an EMS-directed naloxone leave behind program in our geographic area. Common themes among barriers cited regarding a leave behind program included encouraging risk-taking behavior, naloxone concerns, and a failure to address the underlying problem. A more positive attitude correlated with female gender (p = 0.012) as well as caring for a smaller percentage of opioid overdose patients (p = 0.017). Only 29.5% of responders believed that they could positively impact the opioid epidemic. Mean attitude scores equated to 3.3 out of 5, indicating a вЂњneutralвЂќ or ambivalent attitude. Only 22.9% respondents correctly responded to over 50% of four knowledge-based questions. Responders were 84.7% paramedics, and 56.2% reported more than 10 years of experience. 82.9% of respondents were male with a mean age of 39.3 years. ResultsДЄ total of 105 EMS providers responded. Comparisons were calculated using t-tests, ANOVA, and correlational statistics. Data on demographics, general opioid-related knowledge and attitudes, and perceived barriers to naloxone distribution were summarized with descriptive statistics, frequencies, composite knowledge scores, and average Likert-based attitude scores. MethodsД®MS providers from the two principal agencies that serve the six counties in the region inclusive of Chattanooga, TN were surveyed.

This study aimed to explore naloxone knowledge, attitude, and biases among EMS providers in the treatment of opioid overdose patients and to identify perceived barriers to the development of an EMS-directed naloxone leave behind program in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN). However, stigma and misconceptions regarding naloxone remain common among medical providers, including emergency medical services (EMS) members. These programs are designed for first responders to educate and equip high risk, nonmedical individuals to respond to opioid overdose scenarios. Naloxone leave behind programs are a popular public health intervention for combatting the opioid epidemic. The authors find deficits in attitude and naloxone knowledge, as well as misconceptions regarding opioid use disorder and naloxone, were common among EMS providers. The authors find deficits in attitude and naloxone knowledge, as well as misconceptions regarding opioid use disorder and naloxone, were common.

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