Adult emergency department naloxone education and prescription program: Video and pamphlet education comparison

This study looked at the fill rate of naloxone prescriptions, after the implementation of an opioid overdose and naloxone education intervention for adult patients in the emergency department (ED). The study compared fill rates between recipients who received this education by video versus written format.

This was a prospective, randomized controlled study of patients seen in the adult ED for opioid-related complaints between August 1, 2017, and December 1, 2018. The study randomized patients to education through video or written pamphlet, and all patients received a prescription for a free naloxone kit redeemable at the discharge pharmacy. The study calculated and compared naloxone prescription fill rates for the respective education methods.

Of the 770 patients reviewed for recruitment, the study excluded 703. Of the 67 patients enrolled, 59 were contacted at follow-up and eighteen (30.5%) had filled a naloxone prescription. Thirty-three percent (13/39) of patients who received video education and 25% (5/20) who received written pamphlet education filled naloxone prescriptions. The p-value of the chi-square for this data was 0.53.

There is a large population affected by opioid overdose both nationally and locally in Arizona. Opioid overdose and naloxone distribution education for ED patients through both video and pamphlet is feasible but requires more research to determine which education method is superior. Legislative changes, improved identification of patients at high risk for opioid overdose, opiate education for medical providers, and naloxone availability from multiple venues are needed to create a holistic approach to improve naloxone access to those who need it most.