Overdose Education for Opioid Overdose

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Jimmy Choi, PsyD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Hartford Hospital

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Police custody, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

84 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine how different types of education influence whether people fill their naloxone prescriptions after an opioid overdose. Naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, saves lives. Participants will receive either standard written instructions or a more engaging education with a pamphlet and short video, known as Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE). The trial seeks individuals discharged from the hospital emergency department with a naloxone prescription following an opioid-related incident. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance overdose education and save lives.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on education about naloxone for opioid overdose prevention.

What prior data suggests that these educational methods are safe?

Research shows that programs like Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE) effectively teach people about opioid overdoses and naloxone use. One study found that individuals who received this training successfully revived someone in 90% of overdose cases they encountered. This indicates that the education is both informative and practical in real-life situations.

Naloxone, a well-known medication, can safely reverse opioid overdoses. It is typically administered as a nasal spray and is generally safe, with few side effects. The study focuses on how different types of education can help people acquire and use naloxone more effectively.

Enhanced Overdose Education includes a short pamphlet and video to facilitate understanding and retention. This method suits those who prefer not to spend much time in education sessions. Overall, both the education method and naloxone are well-received, with naloxone widely recognized for its life-saving potential. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE) because it offers a fresh approach to tackling opioid overdoses. Unlike standard education, which often involves written instructions, EOE combines a concise pamphlet and a short video to effectively communicate critical information. This method emphasizes not only the life-saving importance of naloxone but also practical instructions on its use, making it accessible and engaging for individuals who might not participate in traditional educational settings. By including support networks in the process, EOE aims to increase the likelihood of timely intervention during an overdose, potentially saving more lives.

What evidence suggests that this trial's education methods could be effective for increasing naloxone prescription fill rates?

Research has shown that programs teaching about overdoses and providing naloxone effectively reduce opioid-related deaths. One study found that these programs can lead to a 113% increase in reported cases where overdoses were reversed, saving more lives. Improved education also results in an 89% increase in naloxone refills, ensuring broader access to this life-saving medication. This trial will compare Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE), which includes a pamphlet and video, with Standard education, which provides written instructions through MyChart. These programs emphasize the importance of knowing how to use naloxone and where to obtain it, crucial for preventing deaths in high-risk communities. This evidence suggests that improved overdose education could significantly enhance naloxone prescription rates and overall safety for opioid users. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jonathan C Allen, MD

Principal Investigator

Hartford HealthCare

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients leaving Hartford Hospital's Emergency Department with a prescription for naloxone after opioid intoxication or poisoning, including those who use illicit or prescription opioids, or have conditions related to opioid injection.

Inclusion Criteria

I am being discharged from the hospital with a naloxone kit after an opioid-related incident.

Exclusion Criteria

I have been trained on using a naloxone kit or am allergic to naloxone.

Patient is in police custody

Patient is not being discharged home from the ED.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Education Intervention

Participants receive either enhanced overdose education or standard education before discharge from the emergency department

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for naloxone prescription fill rates and retention of educational content

4 weeks

1 follow-up survey (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE)
• Standard education

Trial Overview The study aims to see if different types of overdose education can increase the rate at which people fill their naloxone prescriptions. Participants will get either standard written instructions via MyChart or a one-page handout and video explanation before they leave the hospital.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A one-page education pamphlet handed to participants and their identified support individual and a 4-minute video clip that will be viewed in the hospital and emailed or texted to both. EOE is purposefully brief and intended to increase uptake by participants and their support network who may not be motivated or willing to engage in face-to-face or extensive education. The pamphlet and video both emphasize the Why and How. That is, the significance of naloxone in decreasing the likelihood of death following an overdose while providing simple instructions on how to use the nasal kit. They also emphasize an important point missing in standard education: to tell others in the support network where it is and how to use it.

Group II: Standard education Active Control 1 Intervention

Written instructions and information communicated to the patient through MyChart. The following four key points are covered: (1) When someone overdoses on opiates, their breathing will get very slow and may stop (2) Naloxone is a safe life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose (3) You give someone naloxone by injecting it through the nostril, (4) If a first dose of naloxone does not work after about 3 minutes, give a second dose.

Enhanced Overdose Education (EOE) is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Naloxone for:

• Emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hartford Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

140

Recruited

19,700+

Hartford HealthCare

Collaborator

Trials

9

Recruited

1,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The personally-tailored opioid overdose prevention education and naloxone distribution (PTOEND) intervention significantly increased participants' knowledge about overdose and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), while also decreasing perceived barriers to treatment.

Participants reported a significant reduction in opioid use and overdose-risk behaviors, with 65% utilizing naloxone, indicating that PTOEND effectively promotes harm reduction and readiness for treatment among illicit opioid users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a personally-tailored opioid overdose prevention education and naloxone distribution intervention to promote harm reduction and treatment readiness in individuals actively using illicit opioids. Winhusen, T., Wilder, C., Lyons, MS., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 42 healthy participants, the naloxone auto-injector (NAI) was significantly more effective than the intranasal delivery system (NXN) for administering naloxone during a simulated opioid overdose, with 90.5% success for NAI compared to 0% for NXN before training.

After training, 100% of participants successfully used NAI, while only 57.1% could use NXN, highlighting that NAI is easier to use and requires less training for effective administration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Usability Study of a Novel Auto-Injector and an Intranasal System for Naloxone Delivery. Edwards, ET., Edwards, ES., Davis, E., et al.[2020]

A study of 126 attendees from community support groups in Massachusetts found that most participants were motivated to receive overdose education and naloxone kits, primarily to have a rescue kit at home and to learn from others' experiences.

Among the attendees, 5 individuals successfully used naloxone during an overdose rescue, highlighting the practical effectiveness of training and access to naloxone in real-life situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overdose Education and Naloxone Rescue Kits for Family Members of Individuals Who Use Opioids: Characteristics, Motivations, and Naloxone Use. Bagley, SM., Peterson, J., Cheng, DM., et al.[2018]

The study involved 13 codesign workshops over 9 months with stakeholders, including opioid users and healthcare providers, to develop a take-home naloxone (THN) kit aimed at improving responses to opioid overdoses.

The final THN kit prototype integrates ultra-brief training and nasal naloxone packaging, designed for distribution in various healthcare and community settings, addressing gaps in existing overdose education and emphasizing timely response and stigma reduction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design details for overdose education and take-home naloxone kits: Codesign with family medicine, emergency department, addictions medicine and community. Sellen, K., Goso, N., Halleran, L., et al.[2022]

In a study of 89 emergency department patients who experienced accidental opioid overdoses, 70% reported a history of previous overdoses, highlighting the ongoing crisis of opioid misuse.

Despite the availability of naloxone kits, only 31% of participants had access to one, and most who did reported no change in their opioid use patterns after obtaining naloxone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Naloxone Use Among Emergency Department Patients with Opioid Overdose. Marco, CA., Trautman, W., Cook, A., et al.[2018]

Community-based overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs have shown effectiveness in training individuals to prevent opioid overdoses and administer naloxone, which is crucial for saving lives.

Translating OEND into conventional medical settings, where physicians can counsel patients on opioid overdose risks and prescribe naloxone, is an emerging practice that may significantly reduce overdose fatalities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Review of Opioid Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Prescribing: Implications for Translating Community Programming Into Clinical Practice. Mueller, SR., Walley, AY., Calcaterra, SL., et al.[2018]

Over 1,000 injection drug users were trained in naloxone administration through the SKOOP program in New York City, highlighting the effectiveness of training in preventing fatal heroin overdoses.

The program faced several challenges, including political issues and recruitment difficulties, but emphasized the importance of flexibility and participant feedback in successfully implementing naloxone distribution initiatives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overdose prevention for injection drug users: lessons learned from naloxone training and distribution programs in New York City. Piper, TM., Rudenstine, S., Stancliff, S., et al.[2018]

Naloxone infusion may be an effective treatment for opiate overdose, as demonstrated in two successful cases, suggesting it can help prevent patients from relapsing into narcosis after an overdose.

The extreme safety profile of naloxone makes it a favorable option for continuous infusion, particularly for treating overdoses from longer-acting narcotics like methadone, warranting further clinical trials to confirm its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Continuous infusion of naloxone in the treatment of narcotic overdose. Bradberry, JC., Raebel, MA.[2019]

Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote for opioid overdose, with a long history of use by healthcare professionals, and expanding access to it for high-risk individuals and their families is a key public health initiative.

While naloxone is generally safe, its administration can lead to varying levels of adverse reactions, especially with higher doses or intravenous use, highlighting the importance of training for non-healthcare professionals in recognizing overdoses and administering naloxone correctly.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of naloxone safety for opioid overdose: practical considerations for new technology and expanded public access. Wermeling, DP.[2020]

Online opioid overdose education significantly improved knowledge about overdose signs and naloxone administration, with average scores increasing from 6.82 to 8.22 out of 9 after training.

Participants who received a naloxone kit had significantly higher possession rates compared to those who only received instructions on obtaining a kit, highlighting barriers to accessing naloxone through pharmacies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary effectiveness of online opioid overdose and naloxone administration training and impact of naloxone possession on opioid use. Sisson, ML., Azuero, A., Chichester, KR., et al.[2023]

A multidisciplinary naloxone education program (NEP) for hospitalized patients at high risk of opioid overdose significantly improved their knowledge and awareness of naloxone use, with a notable increase in assessment scores from 3.42 to 4.68 out of 5 questions (P = .0016).

Out of 95 screened patients, 19 completed the naloxone education, demonstrating the feasibility of implementing tailored educational interventions in a hospital setting to enhance patient safety upon discharge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a Pharmacist-Led, Multidisciplinary Naloxone Patient Education Program at an Academic Medical Center. Sze, J., Chan, T., Dalpoas, S., et al.[2023]

Overdose Education (OE) significantly improved knowledge about opioid overdose risks and naloxone use among 43 opioid users in a community treatment program, with knowledge gains maintained at a 3-month follow-up.

Despite the increase in overdose knowledge, the actual acquisition of naloxone was low, indicating that while education is beneficial, additional strategies may be needed to ensure naloxone access among individuals in treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opioid overdose and naloxone education in a substance use disorder treatment program. Lott, DC., Rhodes, J.[2018]

Training patients in their homes on how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms and use the Naloxone auto-injector significantly improved their knowledge and response skills, with a statistically significant increase in correct identification of overdose response steps (p = 0.03).

The study faced challenges in feasibility due to insurance coverage issues, as 20 out of 40 enrolled patients withdrew because their insurance did not cover the cost of the Naloxone auto-injector.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The feasibility of employing a home healthcare model for education and treatment of opioid overdose using a naloxone auto-injector in a private practice pain medicine clinic. Dragovich, A., Brason, F., Beltran, T., et al.[2019]

Naloxone distribution and education are effective strategies for reducing opioid overdose deaths, as demonstrated by a case where a patient successfully reversed an overdose using an intranasal naloxone kit five months after receiving it during treatment.

Despite the successful reversal of an overdose, the patient omitted critical rescue response steps, highlighting the need for improved education on the complete response protocol when using naloxone in overdose situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Successful bystander-administered intranasal naloxone reversal of opioid overdose between two veterans: A case report. Ouyang, S., Moore, T.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8489614/

The Effect of Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution This study suggests that OEND programs effectively reduce opioid-related mortality and should be implemented widely in high-risk populations to prevent harm. In ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11934755/

Effectiveness of naloxone distribution in community ... New participant enrollment increased 55%, naloxone refills increased 89%, and reported overdose reversals increased 113% compared with the same ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460325000231

Effectiveness of educational interventions in United States ... This review evaluates the effectiveness of school-based opioid education programs in preventing opioid-related harms, and improving knowledge, attitudes, and ...

4. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01161-8

Assessment of knowledge and behaviors of an opioid ... Opioid involved deaths increased 131% between 2019 and 2022. A pharmacist-led opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2819204

Evaluation of Strategies to Enhance Community-Based ... Drug overdose deaths increased by 30% from 2019 to 2020 and by 15% from 2020 to 2021. The state of Rhode Island faces a particularly high opioid ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12140937/

Reported outcomes from a community naloxone training ... Individuals who helped with an overdose were able to revive the person in 172 (90 %) of the reported overdoses. Our data suggests that ...

7. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-22210-8

Effectiveness of naloxone distribution in community settings to ... From 2015 to 2021, the number of opioid deaths increased almost 143%, from 33,091 to 80,411 per year [2]. Death from opioid overdose is ...

8. library.samhsa.gov library.samhsa.gov/product/overdose-prevention-response-toolkit/pep23-03-00-001

Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit SAMHSA's updated Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit provides guidance to a wide range of individuals on preventing and responding to an overdose.