A Case Report of a Novel Harm Reduction Intervention Used to Detect Opioid Overdose in the Emergency Department

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2020 Nov;4(4):548-550. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2020.7.47936.

Abstract

Introduction: As over 130 people die daily from opioid overdose in the United States, harm reduction strategies have become increasingly important. Because public restrooms are a common site for opioid overdose, emergency department waiting room restrooms (EDWRR) should be considered especially high-risk areas.

Case report: We present the case of a patient found after a presumed opioid overdose in our EDWRR. Staff were alerted to his condition by a reverse motion detector (RMD), and rapidly treated him with naloxone.

Conclusion: The RMD is a novel intervention that can save lives and should be considered in EDs with a high incidence of opioid overdose.