Opioid overdose remains a national emergency, and EMS responders are often the first — and sometimes only — healthcare professionals to encounter patients at a critical moment. This SAEM podcast explores the emerging practice of EMS-initiated buprenorphine, an innovative approach that allows paramedics to begin medication for opioid use disorder in the field. Moderated by Dr. Gail D’Onofrio with expert panelists Dr. Nicholas Simpson and Dr. Gerard Carroll, the discussion covers the rationale behind field induction, new protocols and pilot programs, practical implementation tips, common barriers and misconceptions, and what the future could look like if every ALS unit were equipped to start treatment at the point of contact.
Educational Objectives:
- Describe how pre-hospital initiation of buprenorphine can positively impact patients
- List the challenges to pre-hospital initiation of buprenorphine
- Summarize the history of pre-hospital initiation of buprenorphine including when and where it began
