The high prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply has generated concern among first responders regarding occupational exposure. Social media sharing of unconfirmed first responder overdoses after brief exposure to fentanyl may be contributing to an inappropriate risk perception of brief dermal fentanyl exposure. This case details a dermal exposure to a large dose of analytically confirmed pharmaceutical fentanyl (fentanyl citrate, 10 microgram fentanyl base per ml), over a large skin surface area. Additionally, the exposure occurred at a site with some skin barrier compromise, a factor that can increase fentanyl absorption. The patient underwent appropriate decontamination and underwent a brief medical assessment with no clinical effects of opioid exposure observed. This information is of value to first responders and other health care workers who are at risk of occupational fentanyl exposure. Findings are consistent with in vitro and ex vivo data supporting low risk of rapid absorption after brief dermal fentanyl exposure.

Introduction: Optimizing naloxone dosing in the context of increasing fentanyl and ultra-potent opioid (UPO) prevalence is an important consideration for emergency health care providers. The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the association between initial and cumulative naloxone doses on effective reversal and adverse events in undifferentiated and fentanyl/UPO overdoses. Methods: We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, DARE, CINAHL, Science Citation Index, reference lists, toxicology websites, and conference proceedings from July to October 2018 and back to 1972. Our search included pertinent indexing terms for UPOs. We included interventional and observational studies reporting on naloxone administration for opioid toxicity reversal in people ≥12 years old. Additionally, we accessed non-traditional evidence sources (case reports and series) given this rapidly changing field. We conducted inclusion screens, data extraction and quality assessments in duplicate. We summarized study characteristics and where reported, analyzed number of patients with clinical response. Response was defined as not receiving further naloxone doses and remaining alive. Results: We included 174 studies (108 case reports and series, 55 observational, 9 interventional) with 26,660 subjects (median age 35.1; 74.2% male). We observed lower response among patients exposed to fentanyl/UPO versus heroin for initial naloxone doses ≤0.4mg (56.8% versus 80.2%) and > 0.4mg (27.0% versus 82.1%). Mean cumulative doses were higher for fentanyl/UPO (2.10 mg, SD 1.80 mg) versus heroin (1.48 mg, SD 1.68 mg) overdoses. In North American studies the median cumulative dose used was higher for fentanyl/UPO versus heroin overdoses. A dose-response curve for fentanyl/UPO studies showed marked variability in doses among responders, indicating heterogeneity. Adverse events reporting was inconsistent; 10% of subjects experienced withdrawal based on studies in which they were reported. Conclusion: This is the first systematic review to summarize proportion of patients with clinical response by naloxone dose provided. While variable reporting, study quality, heterogeneity, and our outcome definitions limit the conclusions we can draw, it appears that higher initial doses and in some cases, higher cumulative naloxone doses were used and may be necessary to reverse toxicity due to fentanyl/UPO compared to other opioids. High-quality prospective studies assessing effectiveness and safety are needed.

Introduction: The following adverse outcomes have been described in patients treated in hospital for opioid overdose: pulmonary edema, cardiac dysrhythmias, neurologic injury secondary to hypoxia, prolonged opioid toxicity, recurrent opioid toxicity. In addition, patients who take an overdose of fentanyl may develop fentanyl induced chest rigidity, a life-threatening complication that appears to be uniquely related to fentanyl. The prevalence of adverse outcomes and the clinical course of patients that develop these complications have been described in patients who have taken an overdose of heroin. However, in British Columbia there has been a dramatic increase in the number of patients who overdose on fentanyl and other ultrapotent opioids. The proportion of illicit drug overdose deaths in British Columbia for which fentanyl was detected was only 5% in 2012 but, by 2016, this proportion had increased to 62%. It is very important to know the prevalence of adverse outcomes and the clinical course of patients that develop these adverse outcomes in patients with an overdose of fentanyl or another ultrapotent opioid. Methods: We are completing a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the prevalence of the following adverse outcomes for patients treated in hospital for an opioid overdose: i) pulmonary edema, ii) cardiac dysrhythmias, iii) fentanyl induced chest rigidity, iv) neurologic injury secondary to hypoxia, v) prolonged opioid toxicity, vi) recurrent opioid toxicity. Health records of patients treated for opioid overdose in the emergency departments of six greater Vancouver hospitals from Jan 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2016 are being reviewed. Results: All Institutional approvals have been obtained. The dataset of 3600 ED visits for opioid overdose has been obtained and 160 health records have now been reviewed as of January 8, 2017. We will describe the type and prevalence (with 95% confidence intervals) of complications sustained by these patients. Conclusion: The results of this study will guide management of opioid overdose in a setting were ultrapotent opioids are commonly ingested. All health records will have been reviewed and the data analysis completed by May 2017.

Background: Intravenous (IV) and Intranasal (IN) route for analgesic administration cannot always be used to provide adequate pain management in pre-hospital setting. Objective: In a rural and suburban pre-hospital setting, studying the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of the subcutaneous (SC) route for fentanyl administration by Basic Life Service-Emergency Medical Technician (BLS-EMT) for pain management, with the support of an online medical control (OLMC) center. Methods: Retrospective study of patients who received subcutaneous fentanyl and were transported by BLS-EMT to an emergency department (ED). Safety and feasibility were characterized by collecting vital signs, Ramsey sedation scores and adverse events following fentanyl administration, and effectiveness was evaluated by changes in pain scores. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for statistical analyses comparing age groups (<70 & ≥70 years old) regarding transport time. Results: Pain scores ≥7 were found in 288 patients (14-93 years old) who were eligible for analgesia. 249 (86.5%) of the 284 (98.6%) who received subcutaneous fentanyl were included for analysis. At baseline, no difference (p>0.05) in pain scores pre-fentanyl between groups even if patients<70 years old received a significant higher dose of fentanyl than those ≥70 years old (1.4±0.3 v/s 0.8±0.2mcg/kg, p<0.05). Post-administration pain score decreased significantly while proportion of patients achieving a pain relief increased significantly (p<0.05) regarding transport time (15, 30 or 45min) to ED. Adverse events were present in 1.6% of the patients [hypotension (n=2; 0.8%), nausea (n=1; 0.4%), and Ramsey score>3 (n=1; 0.4%)]. Conclusion: Under the supervision of an OLMC center, subcutaneous fentanyl administration by BLS-EMT for pain management seems to be a feasible approach, with a safe and effective route without major adverse event in pre-hospital setting. Pain relief increased with longer transport time. Further studies are needed to determine the benefits of SC route when compared to other administration routes in EMS.

Introduction: With at least 20% of ambulance patients reporting pain of moderate to severe intensity, pain management has become a primary function of modern ambulance services. The objective of this study was to describe the use of intravenous morphine, inhaled methoxyflurane, and intranasal fentanyl when administered in the out-of-hospital setting by paramedics within a large Australian ambulance service.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from ambulance patient health care records (PHCR) for all cases from 01 July 2007 through 30 June 2008 in which an analgesic agent was administered (alone or in combination).

Results: During the study period, there were 97,705 patients ≤100 years of age who received intravenous (IV) morphine, intranasal (IN) fentanyl, or inhaled methoxyflurane, either alone or in combination. Single-agent analgesia was administered in 87% of cases. Methoxyflurane was the most common agent, being administered in almost 60% of cases. Females were less likely to receive an opiate compared to males (RR = 0.83, 95% CI, 0.82–0.84, p <0.0001). Pediatric patients were less likely to receive opiate analgesia compared to adults (RR = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.63–0.67, p <0.0001). The odds of opiate analgesia (compared to pediatric patients 0–15 years) were 1.47; 2.10; 2.56 for 16–39 years, 40–59 years, and ≥60 years, respectively. Pediatric patients were more likely to receive fentanyl than morphine (RR = 1.69, 95% CI, 1.64–1.74, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: In this ambulance service, analgesia most often is provided through the use of a single agent. The majority of patients receive non-opioid analgesia with methoxyflurane, most likely because all levels of paramedics are authorized to administer that analgesic. Females and children are less likely to receive opiate-based analgesia than their male and adult counterparts, respectively. Paramedics appear to favor intranasal opiate delivery over intravenous delivery in children with acute pain.