Full Program »
Overdosing on Overdoses: I Hate "Junkies" and You Should Too.
We all know how to manage an overdose, but what about after? EMS serves as the first contact for many whom are afflicted by addiction. The United States is in the midst of what the NIH dubs the “Opioid Overdose Crisis,” a true public health disaster. Although pre-hospital providers are trained to appropriately manage and treat the physiologic symptoms of our patients, what impact does it have on us as providers? Let's have a frank discussion on how we can continue to serve our patients when our colleagues so often refer to them as “addicts” or “junkies.” Question your view of those afflicted by addiction, and discuss how EMS cultural nuances can actually be long term perils to patient care. Be a patient advocate. Challenge yourself to be better.