The Madison Fire Department (MFD) announced on Feb. 29 a plan for all ambulances and emergency personnel under city jurisdiction to be equipped with Buprenorphine, an opioid recovery medication, beginning March 1.
MFD is the fourth emergency services agency in Wisconsin to have all vehicles and emergency response teams carry Buprenorphine in an effort to fight withdrawal symptoms and prevent accidental overdoses.
In a press release, MFD discussed the steps following an administration of Buprenorphine.
“Patients who are given Buprenorphine will subsequently be referred to the MFD Community Paramedicine program for a follow-up call or visit, and Community Paramedics will offer to connect them with outpatient treatment programs and harm reduction services,” the press release said.
MFD said it hopes this change will extend beyond temporary opioid treatment. MFD Medical Director Dr. Megan Gussick said the department will be collecting data results in Buprenorphine use to determine the success of the change.
MFD is also working alongside Madison-area hospitals to guarantee Buprenorphine is accessible both in the emergency department and upon discharge from the hospital to help individuals fighting opioid addiction and abuse long-term, according to the press release.
“Our vision extends beyond mere crisis intervention,” Gussick said. “We aspire to facilitate a life-changing intervention for individuals teetering on the brink of mortality due to overdose, guiding them towards a path of recovery."
Prior to this announcement, MFD took a different approach to combating opioid use.
“In the City of Madison last year, we saw nearly 400 overdoses requiring Narcan administration,” Gussick told The Daily Cardinal. “That is more than one per day just within the city.”
Narcan is a commonly administered, non-addictive medication used to temporarily reverse opioid overdose symptoms. Buprenorphine, on the other hand, focuses on long-term recovery.
“Research has demonstrated Buprenorphine effectively mitigates illicit opioid usage, enhances treatment retention and reduces opioid-related fatalities,” Gussick said.
Madison joins West Bend, Greenfield and Milwaukee in its decision to equip emergency response staff with Buprenorphine.
