Interior Health has begun implementing measures in emergency departments to improve overdose surveillance and arm those at risk with naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reduce the risk of brain damage or death, from future opioid overdoses.

Emergency departments in Castlegar, Kamloops, Kaslo, Kelowna, Nakusp, New Denver and Vernon are the first sites to provide both the enhanced overdose surveillance and the Take Home Naloxone program. Interior Health will roll both initiatives out to the 27 remaining emergency departments within the next two months.

“B.C. was the first province in Canada to establish a province-wide take-home naloxone program,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Since 2012 more than 8,500 kits have been distributed to people who use opioids, and more than 8,000 people trained to administer naloxone. It’s great to hear that now even more people will have access to kits and that Interior Health has enhanced their overdose surveillance.”

A new emergency department surveillance tool has been developed to improve overdose tracking. The tool will be completed whenever a patient who has overdosed or is suspected to have overdosed, presents for medical treatment at the emergency department.

“In the past, the data we had on overdoses had significant limitations.  It was not available in real time and was difficult to turn into timely action,” said Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer. “The introduction of this new surveillance measure allows us to identify where risks are arising and will enable us to take proactive action to warn and protect people who are at risk.”

In addition, all emergency departments will offer overdose patients the life-saving drug naloxone through the expansion of the Take Home Naloxone program.