Naloxone saves lives. Emergency departments frequently see patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), often serving as only point of contact with the healthcare system for these vulnerable patients. By screening patients for OUD, identifying those at risk of overdose and distributing naloxone, emergency departments can decrease opioid overdose deaths in their communities.  In addition, research finds that patients who receive a prescription for naloxone are more likely to enter a treatment program, report decreased drug use and demonstrate a greater willingness to undergo screening for HIV and hepatitis C.

The resources on this page provide guidelines for distributing naloxone from the ED, resources to help identify patients who should be directly dispensed or prescribed naloxone, patient discharge materials, videos to train patients and families on naloxone usage and additional resources. All are open access and free for you to use in the service of your patients.

RESOURCES

Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Toolkit

Patient Criteria for Naloxone Dispensing
Program Development Checklist

ERNaloxone.org Patient Discharge Material:
Guide to Using Naloxone
Guide to Take-Home Naloxone Kit
Guide for those with Chronic Pain
Guide for those who Inject Drugs

Resources from our friends:

CHA Naloxone Guidelines

Hospital Referral Workflow
Steps to Discuss Naloxone with Patients
Naloxone Prescriber Quick Information Sheet
Colorado Treatment Locator

Naloxone Promotional Resources:
Naloxone Posters to print & use in your ED
Naloxone “For the One you Love” Poster
ED Naloxone Brochure

Proper Naloxone Use Videos
Narcan Nasal Spray-English
Narcan Nasal Spray-Spanish
Naloxone Intranasal Atomizer-English
Naloxone Intranasal Atomizer-Spanish