Death in overdose is the single most common cause of death in people using heroin. In Sweden, the number of drug-related overdose deaths has increased gradually since the early 1990s. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a Naloxone distribution program in Skåne County. The primary issue is whether the project had an effect on overdose mortality and overdose related injuries.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
2,000
Naloxone Nasal Spray will be distributed at the addiction centres.
Historical data will be retrieved from quality registries.
Malmö Addiction Center
Malmo, Sweden
Overdose mortality in the general population
Overdose mortality deaths 2019-2023 to be compared with historical overdose mortality during 2013-2017. Number of deaths will be collected from national registries.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
Reaction level of ambulance-attended opioid overdose survivors in the general population
Assessment of responsiveness in acute brain disorders using Reaction Level Scale (RLS-85) in ambulance. The RLS scale is graded from 1 (awake, no delayed reaction, oriented) to grade 8 (unconscious, no movements to painful stimuli).
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
Respiratory rate of ambulance-attended opioid overdose survivors in the general population
Respiratory rate (breaths per minute) registered in ambulance.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
Heart rate of ambulance-attended opioid overdose survivors in the general population
Heart rate (beats per minute) of opioid overdose survivors registered in ambulance.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
Naloxone or other antidot administered by ambulance staff to ambulance-attended opioid overdose survivors in the general population
Naloxone or other antidot, if needed, administered by ambulance staff in opioid overdose survivors.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
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Need of ambulance transport to hospital of ambulance-attended opioid overdose survivors in the general population
The need to transport the opioid overdose survivors to hospital - information registered in ambulance.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
Incidence of opioid overdoses attended by ambulance or emergency hospital care
Incidence of opioid overdoses attended by ambulance or emergency hospital care, information registered in ambulance or emergency hospital care.
Time frame: 5 years (first outcome measure for the 18-month intervention period July 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2020)
All cause mortality in included patients
Number of deaths will be collected from national and regional registries.
Time frame: 3 years
Overdose mortality in included patients
Overdose mortality in included patients. Number of deaths will be collected from national and regional registries.
Time frame: 3 years
Retention in naloxone program
Retention in naloxone program - number of patients.
Time frame: 3 years
Incidence of witnessing opioid overdoses
Number of incidences of witnessing opioid overdoses.
Time frame: 3 years
Incidence in naloxone use and bystander CPR
Number of incidences of naloxone use and bystander CPR.
Time frame: 3 years