The Goal of Preventing and Recording Fentanyl Overdoses
Fentanyl overdoses are more common than we realize. With a wider distribution of fentanyl test strips, most fentanyl overdoses are preventable. Once they happen, these overdoses are often not recorded properly because of old drug screening technologies. Without question, greater efforts must be made to prevent fentanyl overdoses and record them once they occur.
A new study published by Epic Research reveals that only 5% of overdose patients are being tested for fentanyl. Even though fentanyl is now the number one killer of American adults from 18 to 45, most emergency departments (ED)employ outdated testing equipment and toxicology screens.
When a patient comes into an emergency room with signs of an opioid overdose, many receive an opiate screening. Since 2017, only 45-50% of overdose-like cases receive this test. Strangely enough, given the opioid epidemic and the striking rise in fentanyl overdoses, the positivity rate of these tests continues to decrease gradually over time to less than 14%.
Why is such a decrease happening if more and more people are dying from fentanyl overdoses? It doesn’t make any sense unless you know the facts. Traditional drug toxicology screenings do not detect fentanyl. When it comes to opiates, these tests typically screen for heroin, opium, and prescription painkillers like Vicodin and Oxycodone. To test for fentanyl overdoses, doctors must order an updated fentanyl screen. Given the pressure of emergency departments, secondary screenings are not a priority
Recording Fentanyl Overdoses + Fentanyl Test Strips
As a provider of integrated substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) believes that testing for fentanyl in overdose cases is a prerequisite in the modern world. With so many young people dying every day from fentanyl overdoses, the treatment of this problem needs to be a priority. Thus, the clear identification of fentanyl as the drug that causes the overdose is essential.
Moreover, overdose victims that survive need to be made aware of fentanyl test strips. As part of continuing prevention efforts, TTC distributes fentanyl test strips in local communities. After all, fentanyl test strips are a cheap and effective way to discover drug contamination.
Another issue is that only 5.1% of overdose ED visits test for fentanyl. In emergency departments, testing for fentanyl overdoses is a necessity. According to the study’s findings, “To improve tracking of drug use trends, increase identification of fentanyl use, and better support targeted drug-related treatment, emergency departments should review standard drug testing panels and consider including fentanyl testing in toxicology screening.”
MAT Services and Fentanyl Overdoses
In addition, there is another reason to test for fentanyl overdoses. Working with fentanyl abusers struggling to stay clean, TTC finds that Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) are an essential tool. Indeed, MAT Services help fentanyl and other opioid abusers with withdrawal management. The early recovery process finds stability by entering a recovery program like TTC that offers MAT Services. Such stability leads to more positive long-term recovery outcomes.
If you want to know how TTC can help you or a loved one with fentanyl abuse, please contact us today.