Over the last few decades, the United States has seen a dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions, and in the illegal manufacture and use of extremely potent synthetic opioids. There is little sign that this crisis is losing momentum, requiring EMS providers to be prepared to respond to a growing number of opioid-related incidents. The Opioid Epidemic: Response for EMS course reviews:
- What opioids are, how they affect the human body, why they are used, and how they can become addictive and abused
- How the opioid epidemic has evolved, its trends, and its impact on first responders
- What EMS providers can do to help protect themselves and the communities they serve from the dangers associated with the opioid epidemic
The course features John Butler, MS, EFO, FSEDI, NRP, Fire Chief/Chief EMS Officer, Howard County, Maryland; and Dr. Matthew J. Levy, DO, MSc, FACEP, FAEMS, Medical Director of Fire & Rescue, Howard County, Maryland.
