Emergency Treatment: Overdose Protocols And Procedures

An overdose occurs when an individual takes more than the recommended amount of a substance, which can be a medicine, drug, or alcohol. Overdoses are medical emergencies that require urgent treatment, and hospitals treat them differently depending on the substance causing the overdose. For example, opioid overdose treatment involves administering naloxone to reverse the effects, while cocaine overdose treatment involves addressing symptoms and monitoring the heart. Alcohol overdose treatment may require a machine to help the patient breathe and medications to support them while alcohol levels in the blood are high. Hospital overdose treatments typically involve a high level of monitoring to quickly recognize and treat any complications.

Identify the substance causing the overdose

The first step in treating an overdose is identifying the substance that caused it. If the patient is conscious and coherent, they may be able to tell the medical team what they took. If the patient is alone or unable to communicate, the hospital staff will have to deduce the substance based on the symptoms presented.

Overdoses can be caused by a wide range of substances, including alcohol, medications, illegal drugs, and herbal remedies. Each drug or chemical affects the body differently, and treating overdose symptoms requires understanding the underlying cause. For example, a cocaine overdose will overstimulate and stress multiple organs, especially the heart, and treatment will involve monitoring the heart until the drug has been eliminated from the body. On the other hand, an alcohol overdose may require a machine to help the person breathe and medications to support them while their blood alcohol levels are high.

In some cases, the hospital may have to treat multiple possibilities simultaneously if the substance causing the overdose is unknown. For instance, if the patient is exhibiting symptoms of a stimulant overdose, they may be given medications to stabilize their heart rate, blood pressure, and agitation. However, if they are also displaying symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose, they may require breathing assistance and supportive care.

Identifying the substance involved in an overdose is crucial not only for immediate treatment but also for long-term care. Understanding the specific drug or substance involved can help medical professionals determine the potential long-term effects and provide appropriate monitoring and support to prevent future overdoses.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of an overdose, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Do not hesitate to go to the hospital or call emergency services if you are unsure whether urgent care is sufficient.

Administer antidotes, such as naloxone for opioid overdoses

When a patient is hospitalised due to an overdose, the first step is to identify the substance causing it. This can be done by examining the patient's symptoms, or the patient or their companion may be able to provide this information. Once the substance is identified, the hospital can proceed with the appropriate treatment.

Opioid overdose is characterised by slowed breathing and heart rate and a loss of consciousness. Naloxone is a medication that can be used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is a μ-opioid receptor competitive antagonist and is available as an injectable solution in concentrations of 0.4 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL and a high-dose (5 mg/0.5 mL) prefilled syringe. It can also be administered as a nasal spray or an auto-injector, delivering a single dose of the drug through the nose or a handheld device. It is a safe antidote that can be administered by emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officials, and even family members and caregivers of patients.

Naloxone is a temporary solution and works for only 30 to 90 minutes, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention after administering it. It can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, changes in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and tremors. However, these symptoms are usually not life-threatening, and the risk of death from an opioid overdose is far worse.

In some cases, an overdose can serve as a wake-up call for the patient to realise they have a substance abuse problem. The second part of overdose treatment involves helping the patient avoid using drugs again and experiencing another overdose. This may include medication, counselling, and behavioural therapy to help achieve long-term recovery.

Treat symptoms and monitor the patient

The treatment for an overdose depends on the substance consumed and the amount. A large overdose can be fatal if not treated immediately. In the case of an opioid overdose, naloxone is administered to reverse the effects. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can be accessed with a prescription or over-the-counter from a pharmacy.

For treating symptoms and monitoring the patient, hospital overdose treatments involve a high level of monitoring. This is because complications can occur, and they must be quickly recognized and treated to prevent long-term effects. The treatment will vary based on the substance causing the overdose. Each drug or chemical has a different effect on the body, and treating these effects requires understanding what is causing the overdose symptoms. If the person is alone and unable to speak coherently, the medical team will have to guess the substance based on the symptoms. In cases where the substance is unknown, multiple possibilities may be treated simultaneously.

For instance, in the case of a cocaine overdose, the treatment will involve addressing symptoms and monitoring the heart until the drug has been eliminated from the body. Cocaine can overstimulate and stress multiple organs, especially the heart. On the other hand, an alcohol overdose may require a machine to help the patient breathe and medications to support them while alcohol levels in the blood are high.

Post-treatment involves helping the patient avoid using drugs again and experiencing another overdose. Compared to the average person, people who receive opioid overdose treatment in an ER are 100 times more likely to die from another opioid overdose within the next 12 months. This makes it crucial to help overdose victims avoid drug use in the future.

Provide post-treatment support to prevent future overdoses

Providing post-treatment support to prevent future overdoses

The first step in overdose treatment is to identify the substance causing the overdose. Once the patient has been stabilized, the hospital may provide post-treatment support to prevent future overdoses. This typically involves two parts: treating the long-term effects of the overdose and helping the patient avoid drug use in the future.

Treating the long-term effects of an overdose may include addressing any organ damage or brain damage that occurred during the overdose. For example, cocaine overdose can overstimulate and stress multiple organs in the body, especially the heart, so treatment will involve monitoring the heart until the drug has been eliminated from the body. Alcohol overdose can be treated with IV fluids, oxygen, and monitoring to prevent breathing issues. In some cases, a person may require a machine to breathe for them.

To prevent future overdoses, it is important to address the underlying substance use problem. This may involve seeking professional addiction treatment, such as medical detox, inpatient rehab, or ongoing support programs. There are also confidential phone services that can provide information, support, and referrals for people experiencing issues with opioid dependence treatment. Youth support services are also available to provide practical support and evidence-based clinical services for young people struggling with substance use and mental health issues.

In addition to professional treatment, it is crucial to have a strong support system in place to help prevent future overdoses. This may include family, friends, or support groups. It is also important to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of a drug overdose, as well as the overdose symptoms of specific drugs. Knowing how to recognize an overdose and what to do in an emergency can help save a life.

Finally, it is worth noting that urgent care and the hospital can save lives in the moment, but they do not provide a long-term solution to substance use disorders. Seeking professional treatment beyond the emergency room can be a life-changing step towards recovery and preventing future overdoses.

Stomach pumping

The procedure involves rinsing the stomach with water or saline and then drawing out the contents through a tube. This tube is passed from either the nose or mouth into the stomach. Before inserting the tube, a numbing agent is administered to the patient's throat to reduce gagging and irritation, and minimise pain. The procedure should be quite quick, and a medical professional will be on hand to help the patient relax as much as possible.

The decision to use stomach pumping as a treatment for overdose depends on various factors, such as what was ingested, the amount ingested, and the time elapsed since ingestion. In some cases, other treatments may be more effective or safer.

Frequently asked questions