EMS: A Gateway to Care

EMS: A Gateway to Care for SUD

By Martie Ritz

        Since the inception of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), countless lives have been impacted by these resources being readily available in their respective communities. First responders are often the first form of patient intervention in emergent medical situations and can be the first line of care for those with substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals are already placed in a vulnerable position when calling 911, as they are forced to ask a stranger for help on what could be the worst day of their lives. Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals (MATTERS) recognizes the significance of the first responder-patient connection and partners with EMS agencies across New York State to provide additional on-scene support and resources for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), aiming to increase patient success.

            Emergencies do not have operating hours; as such, the MATTERS platform is accessible anywhere in the field 24/7.  Regardless of where or when EMS contacts the individual, all the MATTERS resources can be utilized. Referrals take roughly 3-5 minutes and can be completed on scene post-overdose or during a 911 response call, supporting the patient with a connection to care prior to EMS leaving the scene. MATTERS hosts a network of over 1,500 partner organizations in New York and in Pennsylvania, continuing to support patient connection in their respective communities. Emergency services set a great example for fostering community resource engagement and MATTERS hopes to further support that effort.

             EMS can be a gateway for those needing OUD support, as patients can sign off/refuse transport following an overdose or other OUD-related problem. Individuals are often left in a position to navigate the next steps for treatment themselves. “New Jersey, like most other states, records a high percentage (up to 50 percent in some cases) of revived overdose patients who refuse ambulance transport to the hospital or, if transported, leave before being seen by a health care provider” (National Association of State EMS Officials, 2023). However, first responders partnering with MATTERS can utilize the program elements to offer a safety net of options to empower patients to choose their next treatment step. When a patient refuses medical assistance (RMA) and transport, through MATTERS, EMS can now offer the individual two pathways to care prior to leaving the scene. The individual can be connected to a telehealth provider for an emergency evaluation and bridge prescription; these services are available 11am-11pm across New York State and 24/7 in Western New York. Or for those just seeking a connection to an outpatient MAT organization, a direct MATTERS referral can be made.

            Every MATTERS referral offers various wrap-around services that aim to help eliminate barriers to connection and better support patient success. To facilitate initial access to care, individuals can obtain medication and transportation vouchers. In addition, MATTERS has support service coordinators who contact patients within 72 hours of their initial referral, and again at 30-, 60- and 90-days to offer additional support and navigation through the recovery process. It is important to note that MATTERS services, including connections to care, harm reduction supplies, vouchers, and wrap-around services, are free to both the partners and patients! MATTERS also understands that EMS providers often work directly with law enforcement, and all the same MATTERS tools and services are available to them as well, making the linkage to resources easier than ever.

            MATTERS aspires to support any organization in serving individuals with opioid use disorder by offering additional resources and connections, wherever applicable.  EMS already plays a vital, life-saving role in this patient population, as “many areas of NY State rely on basic life support (BLS) agencies to provide emergency medical response through Emergency Medical Technicians… and Certified First Responders…EMS agencies provide most naloxone administrations in NY State,” (New York State Department of Health, 2023). For EMS, collaboration with other departments and organizations in their community is intrinsic and MATTERS hopes to further support first responders when they encounter individuals with OUD. Contact the MATTERS team to start linking people to treatment and resources within their own community today!